GenSan residents file complaint vs. IATF over mandatory COVID-19 vaccination

Some residents of General Santos City have filed a complaint against the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) over the mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 in some areas.

According to Allan Gatus' report on Super Radyo dzBB, this is in connection with the issuance of IATF Resolution No. 148-B which requires onsite workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Though the employees may not be terminated, unvaccinated employees are required to undergo RT-PCR tests and shoulder such cost, according to the resolution.

In a five-page document, complainants Nenit Caminoy, Mary Ann Doce, Norma Marquez, Marylin Reynoso and Vivien Viernes said it is illegal to make vaccination mandatory as it is stated in Republic Act 11525 that vaccination cards are not necessary for employment.

They also said that voluntary consent is important for vaccination.

The residents also argued that RT-PCR tests are too expensive, adding this may lead some workers to resign from their jobs.

Further, they said that the experimental antiviral pill molnupiravir will be made available as alternative medicine.

The respondents named are Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles, and lawyer Charade Mercado-Grande.

GMA News Online contacted Nograles for comment but has yet to receive their replies as of posting time.

Meanwhile, Duque refrained from commenting to avoid violating the rule on subjudice.

“I have read in the news that this has been filed with the Office of the Ombudsman.  As such, I decline to make any further comment on the matter, as I may be violating the rule on subjudice,” Duque told GMA News Online.

Ombudsman Samuel Martires has confirmed that his office has received the complaint on December 6. The investigation is ongoing. —With a report from Llanesca T. Panti/KG, GMA News