Duterte: NPA can avail of free COVID-19 vaccine, but fighting to continue

Members of the New People's Army (NPA) can avail of the free government vaccine against the coronavirus disease 2019 once it is available, but President Rodrigo Duterte said the fighting will continue once they return home.

In a televised address on Sunday evening, Duterte said he wants members of the NPA will be welcomed by the military to avail of the free shots.

"Itong mga NPA, if they really want to get their shots free, they can always line up and I will ask the military and the police to be forgiving. 'Pag nakapila sila doon, wala namang armas just to give get shots, give it to them," he said.

"After that, if you go home, then we fight again but on even grounds. I want you to stay healthy because my soldiers are very, very healthy and they should be getting the first shots of the vaccine should we acquire them in due time," he added.

Duterte on Friday said the military would take charge of the implementation of the government's free COVID-19 immunization program for the 20 million poorest Filipinos, subject to the availability of the vaccine.  — DVM, GMA News