June 23, 2021: As the Philippine government placed the country’s border controls on heightened alert over the new cases of Delta variant, President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to send people to prison for refusing to get vaccinated against the COVID-19.

“If you don't want to get vaccinated, I will have you arrested. And I will inject the vaccine in your butt. You are pests. We are already suffering and you're adding to the burden," Duterte was quoted as saying by INQUIRER.NET. "So all you Filipinos listening, watch out. Don't force my hand into it" I have a strong arm for that.

“Nobody likes it. But if you won't get vaccinated, leave the Philippines. Go to India if you want or somewhere, to America. But as long as you are here and you are a human being that can carry the virus, get yourself vaccinated," Duterte, known for his flamboyant and controversial remarks, said.

The Philippines began its vaccination drive in March but there have been reports of low turnouts at several vaccination centres in the country, although people are also reportedly scrambling to get the limited supply of the Pfizer BioNtech jabs.

According to sources, Duterte further threatened to inject the people ‘with shots intended for pigs’, those who refused to get vaccinated.

Duterte has also previously threatened to shoot Filipinos found violating lockdown restrictions during the pandemic. Since that threat, there have been several cases of alleged violators being killed by authorities, including an elderly man and a former soldier, who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.