Go threatens peddlers of Covid-19 misinformation: ‘Face jail or death penalty’

In a bid to build higher vaccine confidence among Filipinos, Senator Bong Go on Friday called for cooperation and collaboration to resolve issues in acquiring sufficient, safe and effective Covid-19 vaccines.

“Let me emphasize, we are all part of the solution to this public health issue. Therefore, we must (all) share the responsibility if we want to recover from this pandemic,” he said in his manifestation during Friday’s Senate committee of the whole heariing.

He also warned those who take advantage of others in these challenging times that they should be part of the solution instead.

“Wala pong pinipili ang pandemyang ito. Kakaikot ko po, napapansin ko po sa publiko — dapat kunin natin ang kumpiyansa ng taumbayan,” Go said.

“Lahat tayo, apektado nito, lalaki man o babae, bata man o matanda, mayaman man o mahirap, anumang relihiyon, anuman ang inyong pulitika, saan ka man sa Pilipinas, talagang tinamaan po tayo sa pandemyang ito,” he added.

“’Yung mga nangsasamantala dyan habang naghihirap na nga ang kapwa nating Pilipino, dapat kayo unang ma-inject,” he warned.

Go emphasized that he is open to introducing measures that would further penalize individuals who spread misinformation and take advantage of the vulnerabilities of Filipinos amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

“Kung walang katapusan ang pagdududa, as legislators, why don’t we legislate a law against those who are taking advantage of the situation, especially now that we are in a pandemic,” he said.

Citing the delicacy of the matter where lives are at stake, Go stressed that individuals who take advantage of fellow Filipinos or spread fear through misinformation must be penalized with the full extent of the law as he renews his push to reimpose the death penalty.

“Ikulong o isama sa death penalty – mauna sila na ma-injection — (through) lethal injection. This is a very delicate subject matter, in fairness to all those working hard, such as Sec. Galvez and Sec. Duque who are working 24/7 and are even willing to vaccinate themselves to allay fears,” he added.

The death penalty has been abolished in the Philippines though there are attempts to revive it in Congress.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)