Duterte orders PNP, AFP to use air assets for vaccine distribution

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to utilize their air assets for the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines nationwide.

Duterte directed vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., the PNP, and the AFP to provide all necessary support to local government units (LGUs) in delivering vaccines and mobilizing resources.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año was ordered to impose sanctions against LGUs and local executives not performing nor using vaccine doses expeditiously.

The President expressed concern regarding challenges in transporting vaccines to provincial and regional areas.

He emphasized that once airplanes bring vaccines to regions, local helicopters would then deliver supplies to municipal governments.

Duterte also raised concerns about the sufficiency of manpower for vaccine injections at the local level and urged local officials to address this issue.

The PNP stated its readiness to mobilize air, land, and sea assets for vaccine delivery, with police regional directors coordinating with local chief executives and deploying additional personnel to monitor deliveries.