De Lima asks IATF to put detainees higher on vaccination priority list

Detained Senator Leila de Lima on Tuesday appealed to the national government's task force to put detainees higher on the vaccination priority list, particularly those in high-risk areas for COVID-19.

In a letter sent to National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr, the senator cited that persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) are at risk in overcrowded detention facilities and national jails where minimum health standards are difficult to implement.

"This representation respectfully suggests that our PDLs likewise be considered to move up the [vaccination priority] list, particularly in areas with high COVID-19 incidence,” De Lima said.

“I implore the IATF to take into consideration the particular vulnerabilities in the case of the PDLs as justification for their immediate vaccination,” she added.

There is also limited access to healthcare for PDLs which makes them vulnerable to severe or possibly fatal cases of the virus, De Lima added.

In addition, the senator underscored presumption of innocence for PDLs, adding that it would be an "injustice" for detainees to be infected with COVID-19 in spite of the availability of vaccines.

On the other hand, De Lima reminded the government of its responsibility to ensure the welfare of PDLs.

Previously, Justice Chief Menardo Guevarra said elderly prisoners will be prioritized in the national immunization program. There is still no mention of detainees in a specific group for priority vaccination.

Advocacy group Kapatid and Commission on Human Rights made the same call to the government to include PDLs in the priority list as jails could be COVID-19 hotspots. -MDM, GMA News