Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 16) — Party List group Bayan Muna is seeking an investigation on the supposed link between Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators or POGOs and illegal medical facilities in the country.
House Resolution No. 917 , which was received at the House of Representatives on June 11, cited instances where foreign nationals were arrested for their involvement in such organizations.
It also said that these illegal medical facilities were involved in the testing of Chinese nationals who worked in POGOs.
READ: Police raid illegal medical facility for Chinese patients inside Clark leisure park
Bayan Muna also pointed out that on May 28, Parañaque City said it would investigate the alleged mass testing of hundreds of POGO workers at the BF Homes Club House, and how there was no permit secured for the testing.
Speaking to CNN Philippines on Tuesday, Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez said he will not tolerate illegal clinics ran by foreign nationals.
He said they have raided clinics at the Multinational Village and Baclaran, where authorities confiscated medicines and ordered the facilities closed because they are not recognized by the Department of Health.
“Tutuluyan natin ang kaso sa kanila, in fact, pinadedeport natin yung mga Chinese involved dito po sa mga illegal na health clinics sa lungsod ng Parañaque,” Olivares said. “Minomonitor po ng LGUs yan.”
[Translation: We will push through with cases against them, in fact, we will have the Chinese involved in illegal health clinics in Parañaque deported. The local government units are monitoring this.]
READ: Illegal clinics, medicine stockroom raided in Parañaque
Bayan Muna said it was unacceptable for the government to turn a blind eye on these instances especially as there is a strong demand for mass testing.
“Despite the government failings, it is not acceptable that authorities will just close its eyes on foreign nationals establishing illegal medical facilities, and, worse, even prioritized for testing over the Filipinos,” it said, as it called for an investigation and a stop to the illegal clinics that “also threaten the very health and safety of our people in this time of pandemic.”
