Cops raid underground hospital for Chinese COVID-19 patients in Pampanga

Police uncovered an "underground" hospital for Chinese patients who tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Pampanga.

According to a 24 Oras report by John Consulta on Tuesday, a former leisure village was converted into an illegal pharmacy and seven-bed makeshift hospital for Chinese nationals with COVID-19.

Medical wastes such as used syringes and tubes were also found in unsealed plastic containers.

The establishment does not have the necessary permit to operate from the Department of Health and Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

“Mga Chinese nationalities ‘yung mga pasyente nito. Hahanapin natin kung sino sino ‘yung mga positive dito,” said Police Brigadier General Rhoderick Armamento.

“Hindi natin alam na sila pala, akala nila magaling na sila pero ‘yun pala is patuloy silang nanghahawa ng virus dahil sa pagkakaalam nila, nagamot na sila ng ospital na ito,” he added.

Authorities also confiscated medicines with Chinese labels that were not registered with the Food and Drug Administration and allegedly used for COVID-19 patients.

Meanwhile, the patient who was found at the illegal facility has been transferred to another hospital.

Police also arrested the administrator and pharmacist of the underground hospital.

They will face charges for violation of the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009 and the Medical Act of 1958. -Julia Mari Ornedo/MDM, GMA News