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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to jail those who refuse Covid-19 vaccines as the nation ramps up inoculations to prevent the spread of the highly contagious delta variant.

“If you’re a person who’s not vaccinated and a potential carrier, to protect the people, I have to sequester you in jail,” Duterte said late Monday. Village leaders should keep a list of those who refused to be vaccinated, he said.

If implemented, Duterte’s threat could be among the severest measures to boost inoculations in a nation where majority are unsure of or reject vaccines. Indonesia earlier this year moved to punish those who refuse shots with fines or delayed aid.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra however countered Duterte’s remarks Tuesday, saying in a statement that there’s no law compelling citizens to get vaccinated. Duterte’s spokesman Harry Roque also said at a briefing that vaccinations remain voluntary, adding that the president’s remarks were meant to “emphasize what the state can do.”