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| Senator Risa Hontiveros. (Photo from PRIB) |
[Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday called on the Chinese government to investigate the entry of China-made vaccines in the Philippines, which aren’t yet authorized by local regulators. "With the capabilities of China’s security and surveillance, it’s impossible that they wouldn't know who is behind the black market vaccines," Hontiveros said in a statement.
She said the Chinese government should actively cooperate with concerned Philippine agencies in its investigation on the issue. "China must explain. Beijing should lead their own inquiry and submit pertinent information to Philippine agencies. It’s their responsibility to know how these vaccines got out of their borders," she added.
Hontiveros said a Beijing-led investigation will also be for China’s best interest.
"Transparency from their end could raise the public trust in China-made vaccines, not only in the Philippines but also across the world. In the end, this will help the world recover from the pandemic," she said. President Rodrigo Duterte’s security personnel recently drew flak after it was said that some of them received the COVID-19 vaccine without approval from the Food and Drugs Administration.
