AFP confirms PSG injected with COVID-19 vaccine

December 28, 2020

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed that soldiers who  recieved COVID-19 vaccines are members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG).

"Per our inquiry, members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) were the first ones from the AFP who were vaccinated owing to the nature of their mission and function," Major Gen. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesman said in a statement issued Monday.

"As the unit primarily tasked to protect and secure the highest official of the land, the PSG will have to ensure that the President is safe from all threats including COVID-19," he said.

"Because the safety of the President equates to national well-being, that security posture should necessarily include protecting  the commander-in-chief from contracting the deadly virus from those he is constantly exposed to like the members of his security detail," he added.

Arevalo noted that the AFP is "not privy with the arrangements as to how the vaccines were obtained."

"But we have taken cognizance of the fact that the members of the PSG under Brig. General Jesus Durante has taken a bold step to try the vaccine to protect the President," he said. Robina Asido/DMS