BI to help track down patients of raided ‘underground’ hospital in Pampanga

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) will coordinate with other authorities in tracking down Chinese nationals who sought treatment for COVID-19 from an "unauthorized" hospital in Pampanga that has been raided by police.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Wednesday he has instructed the BI to coordinate with the Philippine National Police and local government units for this purpose.

"If found, they will be brought to legitimate hospitals or quarantine facilities for proper treatment, without prejudice to charging those responsible for this illegal operation," Guevarra said in a message to reporters.

The administrator and the pharmacist of the hospital were arrested when authorities raided the facility, a former leisure village that was allegedly converted into an illegal pharmacy and a seven-bed makeshift hospital for Chinese nationals with the new coronavirus.

The establishment reportedly did not have a government permit to operate.

Authorities also seized unregistered medicines from the facility. A patient who was found there has been transferred to another hospital.

The Clark Development Corporation said the management of Fontana Leisure  Park, where the allegedly illegal facility was located, will be held liable. — BM, GMA News