PNP warns anti-vaccine protestors who defy health protocols

Philippine National Police chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar on Sunday warned individuals and groups that purposely defied quarantine health regulations to hold protests against the COVID-19 vaccines.

In a statement, Eleazar said while the PNP "respects the belief of some individuals and groups not to believe on COVID-19 and the vaccination," he said they should also "learn to respect the belief of most number of Filipino people who abide with the minimum public health safety and other rules to ensure their protection from the deadly virus."

“Holding protest actions to insist on what you believe in does not make it right. It is but plain and simple acts of defiance and irresponsibility because you are putting our personnel and other civilian population at risk of being infected," he said.

Earlier, militant group Gising Maharlika staged a protest rally calling the government to end some of its mandated protocols against the spread of the coronavirus.

The group particularly called on the government to end its mask mandate, and the vaccination program against COVID-19.

Eleazar said the PNP will strictly monitor if there will be protest actions by anti-vaccine groups and individuals that would violate health protocols.

Local police chiefs were also tasked to check the situation on the ground regarding possible mass actions wherein the protesters would deliberately not wear face masks and violate health protocols.

Nearly 6 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in 184 countries to date, according to a Bloomberg tally.  While different brands have different efficacy rates, the vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective in decreasing the risk of infection, hospitalization, and death due to the virus. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News