Duterte: Fight on among countries for COVID-19 vaccines

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said several countries had "shanghaied" COVID-19 vaccines, which he blamed for the limited supply of the drugs.

"Something has gone wrong. Most of the other countries, they shanghaied... I don't know. There is a ruckus now," Duterte said in his weekly talk to the people.

"We are not allowed to mention the name of the countries but there's a ruckus going on and the fight for COVID possession is ongoing, it’s a very serious one," he added.

Duterte said he disclosed the "ruckus" because that it there would be delays in vaccinations especially for the poor.

"I cannot name the countries because I was warned. Nagaagawan sila ngayon, hinold ang ano, hinold," Duterte said.

[Their fighting over the vaccines and these are being held.]

"Dapat sabihin yan para malaman natin na how unfair it is really especially when you are the side of the poor na mahold yung bakuna so wala naman tayong magawa," he added.

[This should be brought to light because it was unfair especially when you ,are on the side of the poor, and vaccines are being held and we could do nothing.]

Duterte on Monday night ordered vaccines czar Secretary Carlito Galvez to allow private firms to import vaccines "at will".

"I have ordered Secretary Galvez to sign any and all documents that would allow the private sector to import at will, maski anong gusto nilang amount na ipasok, okay sa akin," Duterte said.

The national government bought millions of vaccine doses from different international companies as it seeks to vaccinate 500,000 vaccinations per week in April to one million per week in May. --NB, GMA News