Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said President Duterte warning against unvaccinated has nothing to do with people swarming COVID-19 vaccination centers in Metro Manila yesterday.

Roque said the long queues reported in different COVID-19 vaccination sites was a result of a fake news circulation in social media that unvaccinated persons will not receive cash aid from the government following the two weeks Enhance Community Quarantine (ECQ).

The President’s comment went: “Itong ayaw magbakuna, sinasabi ko sa inyo, ‘wag kayong lumabas ng bahay kasi ‘pag lumabas kayo, sabihin ko sa mga pulis na ibalik kayo sa bahay ninyo because you are a walking spreader.”

(These people who don’t want to get vaccinated, I’m telling you, don’t bother going out because if you do go out, I’ll tell the police to bring you back to your homes because you are walking spreaders.)

“I don’t think so [that the President’s comments had to do with it]. Mayroon talagang nagpapakalat ng fake news…Ewan ko ba bakit hindi pa sila ma-COVID, pero, anyway, ‘wag kayo maniwala sa fake news (There are really those who are out to peddle fake news. I don’t know why they haven’t got COVID yet, anyway, don’t believe in fake news),” Roque said.

“Wala pong katotohanan na kapag walang bakuna ay hindi makakakuha ng ayuda at hindi makakalabas ng bahay (It is not true that you will not be able to receive cash aid and go outside if you are unvaccinated),” he added.

Roque was referring to cash aid that will be given to low income families worth P1,000 to P4,000 per family provided they are residing in ECQ areas.

Ultimately, he maintained that the President did not prevent unvaccinated people from going outside their houses.

“Walang ipinagbabawal [na lumabas] na iniimpose sa mga taong wala pang bakuna. Ang hinihingi lang natin, magpabakuna na (The President is not restricting unvaccinated individuals. The government is just calling on the public to get vaccinated),” he added.

At least 10 million Filipinos are already fully vaccinated against COVID-19 based on government data.

The Philippine government is eyeing to vaccinate 76.3 million by the end of the year to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the city government of Las Piñas has stopped vaccinations at the jab sites SM Southmall & Las Piñas Doctors Hospital, city spokesperson Paul San Miguel said.

The sites saw hundreds lined up overnight & people running inside hoping to get #COVID19 shot slots.