Gapay orders probe on COVID-19 vaccines to PSG

January 1, 2021

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Gen. Gilbert Gapay ordered an investigation on the acquisition and inoculation of COVID-19 vaccines to the members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG).

"We maintain our previous declaration that the Chief-of-Staff of the AFP was not part of or privy about the circumstances involving the procurement of these vaccines, its source, and the administration thereof to PSG troopers," Major Gen. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesman said in a statement issued on Thursday.

"Hence, General Gilbert Gapay has ordered the conduct of a thorough investigation on the factual circumstances surrounding this incident," he added.

Arevalo also reiterate that the PSG got COVID-19 shots as part of its task  to secure and protect the President.

"We stand by the previous statement of PSG Commander Brig. Gen Jesus Durante that the President’s close-in security had themselves inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccine to greatly reduce the possibility of being the source and carrier of this virus and consequently infect the President, whose good health and well-being are the PSG's primordial concern," he said.