NBI raids makeshift hospital for Chinese workers

June 3, 2020

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced Wednesday the arrest of four Chinese nationals in Parañaque City for operating a makeshift hospital, exclusively for Chinese workers.

NBI Officer-In-Charge Eric Distor identified the Chinese nationals as Liang Junshuai, Pingqiang Long, Yanjun Jiang and Tang Hong Shan.

Distor said the NBI- Task Force Against Illegal Drugs (NBI-TFAID) received information that certain Chinese nationals led by Liang are allegedly engaged in illegal activities.

Investigation revealed that Liang’s group created a makeshift hospital for Chinese workers inside an exclusive village in Parañaque City, without a license to operate or certificate of accreditation duly issued by the Bureau of Medical Services of the Department of Health (DOH).

Further investigation showed that the group was also engaged in the illegal practice of medicine by physically examining, treating, operating, or prescribing any remedy for any human disease, injury, deformity, or any ailment for a fee, without authorization from the Board of Medical Examiners.

The group also prescribed and sold Chinese drugs not approved and registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

With sufficient evidence gathered, agents of NBI-TFAID conducted an entrapment operation.

On May 29, 2020, NBI-TFAID proceeded to the area. An undercover poseur-customer went inside the premises and noticed, in plain view, a makeshift hospital with a large volume of assorted medicines in Chinese characters and several types of hospital equipment and paraphernalia.

The garage of the premises was also used for diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals suffering from illness, disease, injury or in need of other medical and nursing care.

Upon handing the marked-money to Liang, the undercover poseur-customer declared their authority resulting in the arrest of Liang, Pingqiang, Jiang, and Tang.

The subjects failed to present a license to operate as a private hospital duly issued by the Bureau of Medical Services (DOH) nor any authorization from the Board of Medical Examiners to practice medicine in the Philippines.

The subjects were presented for inquest proceedings on Monday, before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Parañaque City for violating R.A. No. 2382 (The Medical Act of 1959), R.A. No. 9711 (Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009), R.A. No. 7394 (The Consumer Act of the Philippines), and R.A. No. 4226 (Hospital Licensure Act).