Imee Marcos to probe alleged US campaign vs Sinovac inoculation

Sen. Imee Marcos FILE PHOTO (Joseph Vidal/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Imee Marcos said she would soon lead a probe into the United States’ (US) alleged secret campaign launched to discredit China’s Sinovac inoculation in the Philippines.

Speaking to reporters in an ambush interview on Tuesday, Marcos said she was saddened by reports alleging that the US military led such operations during the pandemic.

Marcos was pertaining to a Reuters story published mid June which indicated that US officials supposedly launched the campaign as a payback for Beijing’s efforts to blame Washington for the pandemic.

READ: DOH exec wants anti-vax campaign of US Pentagon uncovered

“Yes, abalang abala tayo, abala rin ang napakaraming Amerikano dito sa pangyayari at tayo’y talagang nalulungkot sa sinasabing confirmed report na hindi naman itinatanggi ng Pentagon na talagang ginawa nila ito para siraan ‘yung kanilang mga kaaway na Chinese,” said Marcos when she was asked to comment on the supposed US-led campaign.

(Yes, we are very busy — and many Americans were also busy in relation to this incident. We are very saddened by the alleged ‘confirmed’ report that Pentagon is not denying — all to discredit their Chinese foes.)

But Marcos, who heads the Senate panel on foreign relations, maintained that the alleged campaign, if proven true, would mean that Filipinos’ lives were placed at risk.

READ: China reacts to report on US’ Sinovac psy ops

With this, she saw the need to probe the incident. She said she would call for an investigation on June 24.

“Ang problema, yung buhay naman ng Pilipino ang nilustay dahil hindi gustong magpa vaccine sa Sinovac. E pambihira naman. Kaya aalamin natin sa lalong madaling panahon,” said Marcos.

(The problem is that Filipinos’ lives were placed at risk just because they don’t want to get vaccinated with Sinovac. That’s why we will delve into this as soon as possible.)

While she has yet to formally file a measure seeking to probe the incident, Marcos said she is eyeing to invite former health and security officials.

“Sana makakuha tayo ng testigo dahil napakahirap nga hanapin itong mga ebidensya [nito]. Nananawagan din ako sa Department of Health (DOH) na tumulong sa ating imbestigasyon,” she said.

(I hope we get witnesses because I know it will be hard to get evidence on this. I call on the DOH to help in our investigation.)

The DOH, through Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, already said there is a need to probe and hear the alleged secret campaign.