Philippine president lauds guards' courage in using unauthorised vaccine - spokesman

MANILA, Jan 4 (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo
Duterte has commended his security detail for their "loyalty and
courage" in inoculating themselves with unauthorised COVID-19
vaccines, his spokesman said on Monday, as some lawmakers called
their actions illegal.
The military detail broke no laws when they administered the
COVID-19 vaccines to themselves, presidential spokesman Harry
Roque said, even though the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
has yet to approve any coronavirus vaccines.
"The president is saluting the PSG for what they did. They
risked their lives to protect our president," he told a media
briefing, referring to the Presidential Security Group.
"We thank you for your loyalty and courage," he said,
quoting Duterte's remarks.
Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana last week called the
PSG's move "justified" even as he said the vaccines they gave
themselves as far back as September, without his knowledge, had
been smuggled into the Philippines. The FDA has said any importation, distribution and sale of a
COVID-19 vaccine is at present illegal and warned of potential
dangers from using vaccines it has not approved.
It has said it was working with the Bureau of Customs to
determine how the vaccines were brought into the country.
Some senators are demanding answers and want the head of
Duterte's guard to appear before an inquiry on the government's
vaccination plan set for next week.
Senator Richard Gordon has said PSG chief Brigadier General
Jesus Durante should consider resigning for violating the law.
Durante last week said a handful of unit members used the
vaccine "in good faith" because they could not afford to wait
for regulatory approval, adding the president was only informed
afterwards.
Durante did not name the vaccine used or say how it was
obtained.