NBI receives DOJ order to probe illegal COVID-19 vaccination incidents

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)’s Special Action Unit has received the Justice department’s order to probe the use of unregistered COVID-19 vaccines in the country.

“...the NBI, through Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Eric B. Distor, is hereby directed and granted authority to conduct an investigation on the reported importation, sale, offering for sale, distribution, administration and inoculation of COVID-19 vaccines that are not authorized  by or registered with the FDA  of the Philippines, and, if evidence warrants, to file  the appropriate charges against all persons involved  and found responsible for any unlawful actin connection therewith,” the order read.

It also directs Distor to submit reports on the progress of the subject investigation directly to the Office of the Secretary within 10 days and periodically thereafter.

The said department order, dated January 4, however, made no mention of Presidential Security Group (PSG) chief Brigadier General Jesus Durante III's admission that some of his men got inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines which have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Durante even said in a television interview that they inoculated themselves with the vaccine and only informed President Rodrigo Duterte after the fact.

But prior to Durante’s admission, no less than the President spilled the beans that members of the military received COVID-19 vaccine from Chinese firm Sinopharm.

Under the FDA law, it is illegal to import, distribute, manufacture, and use unregistered products, including vaccines.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier said that the NBI probe on entry and administration of illegal COVID-19 vaccines was not in response to the PSG incident.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has defended PSG’s actions, saying he supports PSG in doing everything and anything they can to protect the President.

Roque also said that such vaccines are of little value.

Prior to the President's statement that members of the military have received vaccine, the Duterte administration promised that health workers—who have the highest exposure to the virus—will be prioritized in the COVID-19 vaccination program of the government.

The FDA is yet to grant any emergency use authorization (EUA) to any COVID-19 vaccine, and only American firm Pfizer has applied for an EUA.

The Philippines has recorded 478,761 COVID-19 cases so far. Of this number, 448,279 recovered while 9,263 died.

The number of active COVID-19 cases is at 21,219.—AOL, GMA News