If they ‘stop fighting,’ NPA can get COVID-19 vaccine — Duterte

President Rodrigo Duterte said members of the outlawed New People's Army (NPA) can get vaccinated against COVID-19 if they would "stop fighting" state forces during the health crisis.

"If you stop fighting for a while during the period or until December, kasi my soldiers will be busy monitoring, supervising, 'wag lang niyong galawin, puwede kayong sumali, pumila doon," Duterte said in a public address aired Friday.

"And even if you announce that you are an NPA, it's okay. Wala munang... pagamot ka muna, pa-vaccinate ka, para mahusay kang lumaban sa puwersa ko," he added, going on to taunt the rebels whom he said do not have jets and ships.

Clarifying that this is not a unilateral ceasefire, Duterte told rebels not to attack soldiers and to "allow the normal process of helping the country."

"As a matter of humanity, because it is not our money, and because you are a Filipino, okay lang sa akin," he said.

Duterte, the commander in chief of the military and police, said soldiers will be tasked to implement the vaccination program.

In an earlier part of his address, the President said poor Filipinos will be prioritized when a vaccine against COVID-19 is available. He said drug pushers will not be vaccinated.

Duterte also confirmed that China has said it will give the Philippines priority access to a vaccine. — RSJ, GMA News