Duterte already fully vaccinated: PSG chief

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has already received the second dose of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine developed by China’s pharmaceutical firm Sinopharm, Presidential Security Group (PSG) commander Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III said on Friday.

“Si Pangulo po ay vaccinated na po siya (The President has already been [completely] vaccinated),” Durante said in an interview with state-run PTV-4, when quizzed if Duterte already received the second dose of the jab.

Duterte got his first Sinopharm jab on May 3. At that time, Sinopharm has yet to secure an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the administration of its Covid-19 vaccines.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Sinopharm, China’s state-owned pharmaceutical company, an EUA early this month.

Initially, FDA only issued a compassionate use license for the inoculation of 10,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine to PSG members.

Still safe from Covid-19

Duterte will remain protected against Covid-19, especially now that he is fully vaccinated, Durante assured.

“We never put our guards down from the very beginning. And we are proud to say that the President remains safe from the virus,” he said.

Durante added that Duterte can now perform his mandate sans any fear despite the threat posed by Covid-19.

“Napakahalaga po nito, para lalo namin siyang maingatan, lalo na magagawa niya nang maayos at tuloy-tuloy ang kaniyang tungkulin, upang makapaglingkod sa ating mga kababayan (It is very important [that he is fully-vaccinated] so we can protect him more. He can now fulfill his duties and serve the country [with confidence],” he said.

Strict health, safety protocols

Durante said the PSG would continue implementing strict health and safety protocols even after Duterte already received the second Covid-19 vaccine shot.

He said the presidential security guards’ resolve is to keep Duterte safe to enable him to serve and protect the country until his remaining days in office.

“Kami sa PSG at aming mga kasama dito sa Malacañang, ay sinisiguro po na ligtas ang Pangulo sa kapahamakan, lalong lalo na dito sa pandemiya upang siya ay makapaglingkod sa sambayanang Pilipino, hanggang sa huling araw ng kaniyang termino (We, PSG and Malacañang personnel, are making sure that the President is safe from any harm, especially from the pandemic, so he can serve all Filipinos until his term ends),” he said.