CLARK FREEPORT—The sprawling 300-hectare property of Fontana Leisure Parks here is now “closed and under full lockdown” after the discovery of an illicit hospital and pharmacy in one of its villas, catering exclusively to Chinese Covid-19 patients.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Regional Field Unit-3 (CIDG RFU-3), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) and a crew of GMA News 7 conducted a joint operation on Tuesday, May 19, 2020, and raided a villa illegally operating as a makeshift medical facility.
As a result, the CDC ordered the closure and full lockdown of Fontana Leisure Park in this free port following the raid.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, meanwhile, ordered the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to join the manhunt against Chinese nationals sought treatment at the illegal medical facility in Fontana.
Guevarra told reporters that these Chinese nationals whose whereabouts are now being determined by the police could still pose health risks to other individuals.
“I have instructed the BI to coordinate with the Philippine National Police and local government units in tracking down these Chinese and other nationals who sought treatment from this unauthorized medical facility in Pampanga and who could still be dangerously roaming around,” Guevarra said.
Guevarra said if found, these Chinese nationals will be brought to legitimate hospitals, or quarantine facilities for proper treatment, without prejudice to the filing of charges against those behind the illegal operation.
“This illegal activity not only violates the law but also poses danger to individuals who potentially need medical treatment for the deadly disease. CDC does not and will never tolerate this inside the Clark Freeport,” a statement released by CDC on Wednesday read.
Arrested in the raid were two Chinese nationals identified as Ling Hu, 45, the alleged owner and Seung-Hyun Lee, 38, the alleged pharmacist. They were taken to PNP Regional Office in Camp Olivas, City of San Fernando.
Aside from the operators who are now facing criminal charges, the CDC will also hold into account the management of Fontana for allowing the illegal facility to operate within their property.
“We assure Clark stakeholders, the locators, local communities and residents, especially, that we will not stop until all those involved are prosecuted and punished,” the CDC statement added.
The villa at No. 628 Florida Street was illegally operating as a makeshift medical facility and pharmacy for Chinese patients.
A GMA News 7 footage showed an illegal pharmacy stocked with drugs wrapped with Chinese character labels reportedly being used to treat Covid-19 symptoms. The report said the Chinese medicine stocks do not have any permit from the FDA.
The news footage also showed used syringe, used tubes and used container bottles, as well as other medical wastes in plastic bin containers within the premises.
CIDG deputy director for administration, Brig. Gen. Rhoderick Armamento, said the illegal facility exclusively caters to Chinese patients who are afflicted with the virus.
He stressed it is imperative that patients who were positive with Covid-19 that were treated there should be traced and recovered by authorities.
“Hahanapin natin kung sino-sino ang naging positibo dito at hindi natin alam na sila pala ay magaling na o sila ay patuloy parin nanghahawa ng virus dahil sa pagkakaalam nila nagamut na sila,” Armamento said.
The so-called underground hospital has also no permit from the Department of Health and the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases in order to operate.
During the raid, a Chinese patient was discovered in the illegal facility and was brought to the hospital by the raiding team.
The two suspects who were arrested in the raid declined to issue any comment.
Armamento said charges of violation of RA 9711, or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009, and violation of RA 2382, or the Medical Act of 1958, for operating a hospital without any permit.
In the meantime, the CIDG is now looking into the identities of the cohorts of the arrested suspects.
With Joel R. San Juan