Dela Rosa says cop did not die from Dengvaxia vaccine

March 22, 2018

Philippine National Police (PNP)  Director General Ronald dela Rosa on Thursday clarified said the death of a police officer from Quezon City is due to leptospirosis.

Dela Rosa made the statement after the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) said a policeman died after being injected with the Dengvaxia vaccine.

"I asked the director of PNP Health Service if he received Dengvaxia vaccine and according to her records, he wasn't included since he is not eligible for the Dengvaxia vaccine because he's already 50 years old," he said in a press briefing in Camp Crame.

"They have findings leptospirosis is the cause of death. So far, that's the only thing we have about the case," Dela Rosa added.

He assured the public they are not trying to hide the incident and assured the victim’s family would receive benefits.

"For those who doubt that we are trying to hide something, trying to cover up, do not think of that because by covering up, we will gain nothing. We won't gain anything from covering up," Dela Rosa said.

He told his men to regularly go to PNP Health Service or visit a private hospital for checkup.

Last March 21, PAO forensics chief Erwin Erfe in his Facebook account said a police officer from Quezon City Police District Station 6 died due to the dengue vaccine.

"Initial forensic findings showed, among others, extensive bleeding in the brain, bleeding in lungs, heart, liver, kidneys and intestinal tract," Erfe said.

"He was vaccinated with the dengue vaccine based on the statement of his co-police officers," he added. Ella Dionisio/DMS