Several individuals gathered along Iznart Street in Iloilo City on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 31, to protest against the government’s COVID-19 vaccination program.
Holding anti-vaccination placards, the protesters intoduced themselves as members of Alliance of Ilonggo Patriots.
Alexander Duyap, a pastor, said it’s the right of everyone to decide whether or not they will receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
Those who refused to be vaccinated should not be discriminated against, he stressed.
Duyap claimed that COVID-19 vaccines were rushed, and they’re not yet fully developed.
The protest rally was dispersed by policemem for lack of permit.
Meanwhile, inoculation against the viral illness remains voluntary in the Philippines
But the government is highly encouraging the public to take part in COVID-19 vaccination.
“There is what we call moral obligation to be vaccinated, wherein we don’t consider only ourselves but our loved ones,the community, the whole population because we want to achieve herd immunity,” said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.IMT/Photo by ICPO
