President Duterte appealed to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to "observe the rule of humanity" and not cause any problem during the transport of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines to far-flung areas.
Duterte made the statement as the government awaits the arrival of the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines from the World Health Organization (WHO)-led COVAX Facility next week.
In his weekly public address on Monday evening, Duterte asked the CPP to ensure the safe transport of the vaccines.
"We might be able to issue this appeal--not a warning-- I am appealing... The Communist Party must guarantee that the vaccines, in the course of their being transported to areas where there are no city health officers or medical persons, 'wag ninyong galawin ang medisina (do not touch the medicines)," he said.
"Allow the vaccines to be transported freely and safely. I am asking you now to observe that rule because that is for the Filipino people," he added.
According to the President, the CPP should not cause trouble like when its members intercepted the delivery of the government's pandemic subsidy because it is the people's money used to pay for the vaccines.
"The money belongs to the Filipino people. The credit goes to no one," Duterte said.
"Pera ninyo ito. So natural lang na kayong mga (This is the people's money so it is only natural that the) members ng Communist Party of the Philippines and the allied-- NPA (New People's Army), NDF (National Democratic Front), or whatever-- kindly observe the rules of humanity," he added.
Despite rejecting the annual holiday truce in December last year, President Duterte said that the COVID-19 vaccines that the government will procure will be made available to the communist rebels.
"We will make available to you. In the name of humanity, we will not deny kasi ano 'yan eh. Just to make you healthy so that you will die 'pag hindi kayo naghinto sa (if you don't stop with your acts)-- you stop," he said.