DAVAO CITY — The Department of Justice has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to validate reports of unauthorized use of Covid-19 vaccines from government stocks in Northern Samar.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has ordered the NBI, to investigate the sale or administration of Covid-19 vaccines outside the authorized channels of distribution.
“It (NBI) will be ready to assist the PNP (Philippine National Police) and the provincial board of Northern Samar in any investigation of the subject incident,” Guevarra said in a statement.
The investigation was called after the justice department received information that the provincial board of Northern Samar is investigating the missing 15 doses of the Sinovac.
Reports have it, that the vaccines were taken from the vaccination center at Northern Samar Provincial hospital on June 10, 2021 and was allegedly brought to the house of a still unnamed politician in the capital town of Catarman.
Maryjane Morales of the provincial vaccination team testified before the Northern Samar Provincial Board that 50 doses were scheduled for vaccination that day but only 35 were administered.
“There were no more people to vaccinate,” Morales said, adding that the vaccination team turned over the unused doses to Dr. Catherine Miral of the Provincial Health Office.
