Underground Chinese clinic discovered in Parañaque

Authorities raided another unlicensed medical clinic that caters to Chinese coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in a subdivision in Parañaque City.

According to John Consulta’s report on 24 Oras on Tuesday, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) seized boxes of dextrose, beach chairs, unregistered medicines used to treat respiratory illness, swab samples, face masks and gloves, most of which had Chinese labels.

Operatives caught four Chinese nationals inside the illegal clinic. One of them got injured after trying to escape by jumping from the third floor.

“These are Chinese ‘no? Puro Chinese 'to and they cater only sa mga Chinese na nationals. May mga nakuha dito na antibiotics, gamot sa baga, may pang-swab kits. If they have the virus, it’s really very dangerous. Hindi natin alam kung talagang naa-address ‘yong sakit nila and possibly makahawa sila,” said Atty. Jonathan Galicia, chief of the NBI Task Force Against Illegal Drugs.

Aside from the medical equipment, authorities also found condoms and medicines used to treat sexually transmitted disease.

The NBI suspected that the second floor of the clinic was a sex den as well.

With this, several residents of the subdivision fear they might be at risk of contracting COVID-19.

“Fear, gripping fear (ang nararamdaman ko). Nandiyan lang pala sa paligid and ‘yong fear namin na baka mayroon, ayan na pala, totoo pala. Masakit sa dibdib, ‘di ko lubos maisip bakit kami may ganito ngayon,” said Mel Marquez, a resident of the Multinational Village.

Meanwhile, officials from the homeowner’s association assured that they will implement strict monitoring from now on.

“Kung mayroong pahintulot ang may-ari ang pakiusap nga namin doon sa kontrata, lagyan kami ng authority na makapag-visit anytime we want para masiguro natin na hindi na mauulit ‘yong mga ganiyang sitwasyon. Hindi kami mga opisyal dito para kumunsinte ng iligal,” said Arnel Gacutan, Multinational Homeowner’s Association president.

NBI director Eric Distor already ordered the capture of the Chinese nationals who are still at large.

The foreigners will face charges for violation of the Hospital Licensure Act, Medical Act of 1959, Consumer Act, and the Food and Drug Administration Law, Galicia said.

Earlier, underground clinics exclusively for Chinese COVID-19 patients were also discovered in Pampanga, Makati and another one in Parañaque.

Malacañang has earlier expressed alarm over the presence of these illegal medical facilities catering to Chinese nationals. -- Ma. Angelica Garcia/BAP, GMA News