President Duterte thanks Russia for the vaccine offer

President Duterte says he’s willing to be inoculated with Russian vaccine

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte expressed his appreciation for the Russian government’s offer of the needed COVID-19 vaccine.

Speaking from Davao City late last night, President Duterte said he is willing to be inoculated with the vaccine just to show everyone he’s serious in putting a stop to COVID-19 which has brought havoc to different nationalities and governments.

It will be recalled Russian Ambassador to Manila Igor Khovaev disclosed that his government will launch their vaccine in a matter of days and that he gave the Philippines three options to choose from.

Ambassador Khovaev said the Philippines may take part in its clinical trials if they deem fit, they are willing to supply the vaccine to the government and would have it produced in the Philippines with a local partner.

President Duterte said he is happy Russia offered the vaccine without a price tag on it.

“The way I look at it, this is President Vladimir Putin’s help to us that’s why it’s free. That is why we will accept it after the due clinical studies,” he said in Pilipino.

The country’s chief executive expressed his willingness to help Russia in its clinical trials noting he has faith in Russia’s efforts to combat COVID-19.

President Duterte said he is willing to take part in the clinical trials to prove to everyone that the Russian-developed vaccine would fit the Filipino.

Later Tuesday afternoon, the international wires reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country has developed the "first" coronavirus vaccine. He said in a television broadcast their Gamaleya Institute has named the vaccine "Sputnik-V" named after the unexpected 1957 launch of the world's first satellite by the Soviet Union. (Melo M. Acuña)

President Rodrigo Duterte. (Screen grab from RTVM PTV4)