The National Bureau of Investigation raided an underground hospital for Chinese workers inside a private subdivision in Parañaque.
The NBI Task Force Against Illegal Drugs (TFAID) raided a 3-story house in Multinational Village after an agent posed as a patient during the entrapment operation.
Authorities discovered beds, chairs, a rack of dextrose, and boxes of medicines inside the home.
Only Chinese nationals working in Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) are being treated at the makeshift hospital, according to NBI-TFAID head Ross Galicia.
Facility administrators also do not have permission from the Department of Health to provide medicine and treatment, Galicia said.
It has not been said if the underground hospital in Parañaque treats COVID-19 patients.
The 4 Chinese nationals who operate the secret hospital were not able to present any documents related to their stay in the Philippines and the said facility.
The Chinese suspects have been jailed for several cases, including violation of the Hospital Licensure Act, Food and Drug Administration Act, and Consumer Act.
Residents have previously complained to the homeowners’ association of the subdivision over the increase of Chinese POGO workers in the area.
Some residents were alarmed, especially after four already tested positive for COVID-19 in the subdivision.
Arnel Gacutan, president of the Multinational Village Homeowner’s Association, insisted they knew nothing about the underground hospital.
The NBI also warned that barangays should monitor areas where there are POGO workers renting houses or facilities.
Also read: 2 Chinese doctors operating illegal COVID-19 clinic arrested in Makati
Unauthorized mass testing for Chinese nationals in Parañaque
On May 29, the Parañaque local government also stopped the unauthorized COVID-19 testing of 200 Chinese in the city.
Mass testing for Chinese nationals was conducted in the garden area of BF Homes Parañaque, Thursday morning.
Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez said he immediately stopped the testing and obtained the names of those involved.
He stressed that the city government had nothing to do with the testing, and no one coordinated with the city hall or the city health office.
Barangay BF Homes is also under investigation.
Barangay Chairman Robert Ty said the testing was a private initiative, but its organizers did not coordinate and sought their approval.
He said the village received a tip that mass testing was taking place, so the guards went there to stop it.
The facility is not accredited to conduct COVID-19 testing for Chinese nationals or Filipinos.