Palace alarmed by presence of 'underground hospital' for Chinese COVID-19 patients

Published May 21, 2020 04:01 PM By VIRGIL LOPEZ, GMA News

Malacañang on Thursday expressed alarm over the presence of an illegal medical facility catering to Chinese nationals allegedly infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“Siyempre po, naaalarma po ang Palasyo diyan,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said in a televised briefing, adding only qualified physicians can practice medicine in the country and drugs must have the approval of the Food and Drug Administration.

Cops recently raided a villa

inside the Fontana Leisure Park in Pampanga which was converted into a pharmacy and seven-bed hospital for Chinese nationals.

Earlier reports said the establishment does not have a permit to operate from the Department of Health and Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

During the raid, the administrator and pharmacist of the underground hospital were arrested by the authorities. They will face charges for violation of the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009 and the Medical Act of 1958.

“Kakasuhan po iyong mga nahuli sa Fontana dahil nilabag po nila iyong dalawang batas na nagsasabing hindi puwedeng mag-practice ng medisina ng walang lisensiya; hindi puwedeng mag-dispense ng gamot na hindi rehistrado sa FDA,” Roque said.

Officials had ordered the closure and full lockdown of Fontana Leisure Park inside the Clark Freeport following the raid. -MDM, GMA News

View on GMA News