Fontana locked down for illegal Covid-19 hospital ops

THE CLARK Development Corporation (CDC) ordered on Wednesday the closure and full lockdown of the Fontana Resorts and Leisure Park here.  

The closure order came after the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Regional Field Unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Region 3, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the CDC conducted a joint operation Tuesday and raided a villa illegally operating as a makeshift medical facility for Chinese patients.

During the raid, a seven-bed underground coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) hospital for Chinese nationals were discovered, including a patient inside villa 628 at Florida Street, Fontana Resorts and Leisure Park.

“This illegal activity not only violates the law but also poses danger to individuals who potentially need medical treatment for the deadly disease. CDC does not and will never tolerate this inside the Clark Freeport,” the CDC said in a statement.

Arrested during the raid were two Chinese nationals -- Ling Hu, 45, the alleged owner of the underground hospital; and Seung-Hyun Lee, 38, an alleged pharmacist.

The suspects are now detained at Camp Olivas, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

The Covid-19 patient admitted inside the makeshift facility was transferred in a medical facility.

“Aside from the operators who are now facing criminal charges, the CDC will also hold into account the management of Fontana for allowing this to happen within their property. We assure Clark stakeholders, the locators, local communities and residents especially, that we will not stop until all those involved are prosecuted and punished,” the CDC said.

Police said the suspects will be charged with violations of Republic Act 9711 or the "Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009", and Republic Act 2382 or the "Medical Act of 1958" for illegally operating without clearance and permit with the Department of Health (DOH) and Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF EID).

The raiding team also discovered several medicines with Chinese labels and medical wastes inside the villa. (By Marna Dagumboy Del Rosario)