CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Governor Dennis Pineda on Wednesday sounded the alarm on the operation of an illegal coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) clinic, which was catering exclusively to Chinese nationals, and asked concerned government agencies to find out if there are other similar facilities inside Clark Freeport.
The call was made following the raid of a villa at Fontana Resorts and Leisure Park on Tuesday that was discovered to be illegally operating as a makeshift Covid-19 treatment hub for Chinese patients.
He thanked the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Regional Field Unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Region 3, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Clark Development Corporation for the raid that led to the closure of the clinic.
He said the operation of the facility does not only violate the law but also poses danger to Kapampangans.
“Hinihikayat ko po ang CIDG, FDA at CDC na hanapin pa po ang napapaulat na iba pang katulad na iligal na pasilidad sa loob ng Clark Freeport (I am asking the CIDG, FDA, and CDC to look for other reported similar illegal facilities inside the Clark Freeport),” Pineda said.
He also appealed to the Chinese embassy to urge its nationals to seek medical treatment at the Department of Health-accredited hospital inside Clark.
“Gawin nyo po sana ang aking pakiusap para maprotektahan ang mga taga-Pampanga sa coronavirus (Please do my plea for the protection of the people in Pampanga against coronavirus),” he added.
Arrested during the raid were two Chinese nationals Ling Hu, 45, the alleged owner of the underground hospital; and Seung-Hyun Lee, 38, an alleged pharmacist.
The suspects are now detained at Camp Olivas, City of San Fernando while a Chinese Covid-19 patient admitted inside the makeshift facility was transferred to a medical facility.
The raiding team also discovered several medicines with Chinese labels and medical waste inside the villa. (PNA)
