Senator Risa Hontiveros wanted to deport the Chinese nationals involved in the illegal COVID-19 health facilities police have discovered in recent days.
“Deport and blacklist these criminals. Hindi pwedeng ang higpit natin sa mga Filipino pero maluwag tayo sa mga Chinese na sangkot sa krimen [it’s not right that we are strict with Filipinos, but we are lenient to Chinese involved in crimes],” Hontiveros said in a statement.
“While we are working hard to protect our people from the virus, these criminals freely roam and pose danger to public health. This blatant disregard of our laws should merit immediate deportation and blacklisting,” she added.
In April, authorities seized hundreds of boxes of illegal or unregistered medicines and medical supplies for COVID-19 patients after an arrested Chinese doctor lead the police to his storage unit and two more clinics in Barangay Baclaran, Parañaque City.
Among those seized at Yumei Liang’s house were medicines against other diseases such as STDs and HIV-AIDS.
On March 20, police raided a villa in Fontana Leisure Park that has been turned into a “hospital” for Chinese nationals who tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Clark, Pampanga.
Medical waste, such as used syringes, tubes, and open plastic containers, was also found in the scene.
Deport Chinese nationals arrested illegal COVID-19 hospitals
On May 22, two Chinese nationals who were selling health capsules claimed to be COVID-19 cure in Bacoor City, Cavite, were arrested.
Police caught Zhixing Chen and Lingjie “Kira” Zhao for selling the Lianhua Qingwen Jiaonang in violation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Act of 2009.
Yesterday, police arrested two Chinese doctors operating another illegal clinic, which allegedly treating Chinese nationals with COVID-19 in Makati City.
Police seized rapid test kits, swab sticks, vials, syringes, and multiple boxes of Chinese medicine that are not registered with the Food and Drug Administration during the operation.
Hontiveros said the Chinese nationals operating the underground hospitals should face charges for violation of the Food and Drug Administration Law, Medical Act of 1959, and the Hospital Licensure Act.
However, those arrested in Pampanga were released on the same day of arrest due to delays in the filing of appropriate charges.
Senator Leila De Lima also slammed the administration’s alleged lack of more proactive measures to punish the offenders.
“As usual, when it comes to Chinese shenanigans or nefarious acts, tahimik lang yung top man sa Malacañang sa bagay na to [the top man in Malacañang is silent on this]. Very enraging!” De Lima said.