Eleazar orders PNP probe after fake news allegedly drove people to vaccination sites

Philippine National Police chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar on Sunday said he has ordered an investigation to pinpoint the source of fake news that allegedly drove people to vaccination sites even without appointments.

"Nagbigay na ako ng direktiba partikular sa Anti-Cybercrime Group para magsagawa ng malalimang imbestigasyon. Tingnan natin kung meron ba talagang nag-iinstigate ng ganyang mga pananabotahe dahil 'yan po talaga ang nakakasira sa ating programa," Eleazar said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(I gave a directive particularly to the Anti-Cybercrime Group to conduct a thorough investigation. Let us see if there are really some people instigating such sabotage because that is damaging to our [vaccination] program.)

Eleazar made the comment after inspecting a mall in Cubao, Quezon City which served as vaccination site. People were seen flocking to the site early Sunday, even if many of them did not have confirmed appointments, according to a report by Luisito Santos on Super Radyo dzBB.

The situation was similar to those in Manila, Antipolo City and Las Piñas City in recent days. Crowds arrived at vaccination sites after allegedly receiving fake information that only vaccinated people will be allowed to go out of their homes.

"We should learn from what happened in Manila and Las Piñas," Eleazar said. 

"Kaya ang direktiba natin sa ating mga chief of police, makipag-coordinate closely with LGU, alamin kung ano ang programa, at gumawa ng plano," he added.

(That is why our directive to chiefs of police is to coordinate closely with local government units, find out what their program is, and make a plan.)

In Quezon City, the "no walk-in" policy is in force. However, the city has a quick substitution list (QSL) policy wherein residents without appointments may be vaccinated in case scheduled vaccinees do not arrive for some reason. Prior registration to the QSL is however required.

"'Yung definitely wala sa listahan, wala sa QSL, hindi dapat pumunta dito," Eleazar said.

(Those who are definitely not on the list [of people to be vaccinated today], and those not on the QSL should not go here.)

Quezon City Police District director Police Brigadier General Antonio Yarra however said many went to the site on Sunday hoping they can get vaccinated even without appointments.

"Dumami ang tao rito kanina dahil maraming nagbabakasakali na sila ay mabakunahan," he said.

(Many people arrived since they were hoping to get vaccinated.)

Eleazar asked the public not to believe unverified information.

"Tayo ay nananawagan sa ating mga kababayan, huwag kayong magpadala sa kung anu-anong mga tsismis na sinasabi na una, kaya kayo pumunta dito, sinasabi 'pag 'di kayo nabakunahan, hindi kayo puwedeng mag-avail ng mga goods at services, wala kayong mga benefits. Ang basehan natin ng paglabas ng APOR at non-APOR ay hindi kung nabakunahan. Iba po ang basehan natin doon. At the same time, hindi tayo dapat nagpapadala sa mga impormasyon. Tingnan natin," the PNP chief said.

(We are appealing to our countrymen not to believe rumors saying if you are not vaccinated, you will not be able to avail goods and services and you will not have benefits. Our basis for determining the authorized persons outside residence [APOR] and non-APOR is not vaccination. We have a different basis for determining who is APOR. At the same time, we should not believe information right away, but check it first.)

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairperson Benhur Abalos on Thursday described as “fake news” the information that people who are not yet vaccinated against COVID-19 will not receive cash aid under enhanced community quarantine.

Eleazar also checked other vaccination sites in Metro Manila on Sunday.

Metro Manila mayors have agreed to impose a "no walk-in" policy at COVID-19 vaccination sites while the region is under a two-week lockdown to prevent the spread of the highly infectious Delta variant, Interior Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said Friday. —KG, GMA News