OCTA Research fellow Ranjit Rye urged the candidates of the May elections to ensure the safety of their supporters who are attending rallies and other political events with them amid the threat of COVID-19.

Rye told DZRH on Wednesday that campaign rallies and other similar events can cause upticks or mini surges in COVID-19 cases.

"So ang panawagan natin sa leaders natin na tumatakbo, ang gawin niyo, maging leader by example kayo. Mean what you say and say waht you mean," he said.

(So our call to the candidates, what you need to be a leader by example. Mean what you say and say what you mean.)

(And if you really love the people, their safety in rallies should be given priority. So organize your rally in such a way that it will not be unsafe for those who are participating.)

The OCTA fellow urged the candidates to provide free masks to their attending supporters during the activity.

"Sana po mag-distribute 'yung mga kandidato ng mask during the activity. Kasi malaking bagay po ang mask. Kahit na reduce 'yung social distancing, kung naka-mask ka naman at bakunado ka ligtas ka," he said.

Meanwhile, he urged attendees of political rallies to ensure their safety by getting vaccinated and getting the booster shots.

"Sa ating mga kababayan kung mahilig kayo mag-join ng rallies … sana naman magpabakuna tayo. Sana naman magpa-booster tayo, kasi free naman ang booster," he said.

(To our countrymen who love joining rallies … I hope you get vaccinated. I hope you get your booster, because boosters are free.)

Previously, OCTA fellow Guido David said such events should only allow the participation of vaccinated citizens.