Defense sec appeals for unity in healing nation

Delfin N. Lorenzana, Secretary Department of National Defense, issued the following statement as he appealed for unity to make the vaccination drive against COVID-19 a success:

NOW is NOT the time to play Doomsayer. Now is NOT the time for games. And most specially, now is NOT the time for politics.

As our government rolls out its vaccination program, let us all work together to make it successful. Let us encourage our people to participate in the program and have themselves vaccinated. I don’t see any good coming out from spreading fake news or lies about the Sinovac vaccine. Sinovac has been supplying effective and affordable anti-rabies, anti-tetanus and flu vaccines to the Philippines since 2009.

On the other hand, criticizing the vaccine without really knowing the technical facts will only discourage our people from joining the vaccination program.

Let us spread facts. Countries like Thailand, which is the second richest in Southeast Asia, rolled out Sinovac in their vaccination program yesterday. Hong Kong, a progressive metropolis, uses it, too. Malaysia and Singapore have started to receive Sinovac as well.

This is just the first brand to arrive, among other brands that are scheduled. Don’t politicize the vaccine donation and use it as a political propaganda. Hindi maganda. It reflects badly on us as a nation. Ginagalit, tinatakot pa ng iilan ang mga tao sa kinakalat nilang mga fake news. Please stop. Tama na muna ang pulitika.

Let us all heal as one. Sama sama nating labanan ang COVID-19, sama-sama rin nating tapusin ang laban. Hindi dapat kanya-kanya.