400 foreign detainees in overcrowded PAOCC facility hospitalized in March

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has called for the deportation of its foreign detainees to be expedited, citing severe overcrowding in its Pasay City detention facility that it claims has led to widespread illness.

According to Saleema Refran’s Unang Balita report on Wednesday, around 400 detainees were hospitalized in March alone after experiencing flu-like symptoms and other health complications. 

The report said many detainees are forced to sleep on the floor due to the facility exceeding its capacity. Areas originally designated for holding and processing are now being used as detention spaces to accommodate the rising number of arrests from anti-crime and anti-POGO operations.

“Masyado na silang marami. Nasa kulang-kulang 1,000 na yung nandito sa aming temporary detention facility. Siguro sobrang init, tapos yung iba may mga dalang sakit, nagkakahawa-hawa na,” said PAOCC Executive Director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz.

(There are too many of them. There are around 1,000 detainees in our temporary detention facility. It's probably because of the extreme heat, and some of them are already sick, and they are infecting  other detainees.)

Among those recently hospitalized was Tony Yang, the brother of former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang. 

Yang, who has been seeking hospital arrest due to his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), was rushed to the hospital on Monday night for the third time. He is currently isolated and receiving treatment for a lung infection.

“Ito ano, (ubo) pero meron dugo. Doktor sabi dapat sa hospital,” Yang said.

(When I cough, there’s blood. The doctor said I should be in a hospital.) 

The PAOCC has coordinated with the Department of Health (DOH), the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding the handling of detainees' medical needs and potential transfers.

“Kasi ang balak namin talaga ipadala na siya ng diretso-diretso sa ospital para at least masigurado natin na matitignan siya ng maayos,” Cruz explained.

(Our plan is to actually send him directly to a hospital so we can ensure that he is properly examined.) 

In addition to the hospitalizations, two detainees have reportedly died from complications related to preexisting conditions. There are also six pregnant detainees receiving medical care and regular check-ups.

To address the worsening health conditions, the PAOCC has set up a medical and dental clinic within the facility, staffed by visiting medical personnel each week. However, officials stress that the long-term solution lies in expediting the deportation process for detainees.

“Kailangan i-fast track po natin talaga yung deportation,” Cruz added.

(We really need to fast-track the deportations.)

Meanwhile, 70 foreign nationals detained at the facility have been charged by the Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) with illegal gambling and violations of the Cybercrime Prevention Act. These charges stem from a raid on a scam hub in Pasay in February. 

The accused are set to face a preliminary investigation at the Pasay Prosecutor’s Office. —Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News