Parañaque probes illegal Chinese clinic’s reopening

MANILA, Philippines — The Parañaque City government yesterday ordered the inspection of an illegal clinic in a gated subdivision that allegedly catered to Chinese workers.

In a statement, Mayor Edwin Olivarez said the clinic, set up at a three-story house in Multinational Village, was the same one raided by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on May 29.

He directed city police chief Col. Robin Sarmiento to check on the clinic on Timothy street after concerned residents reported seeing Chinese “frequently entering commercial buildings, rented homes and condo units in the gated subdivision.”

The NBI found boxes of dextrose, medicine, swab samples, face masks and gloves as well as condoms and medicines for sexually transmitted diseases during the raid, during which four Chinese were arrested.

City administrator Fernando Soriano said there are 35,000 to 40,000 Chinese residing near Philippine offshore gaming operators in Parañaque.

City health office chief was ordered to conduct a weekly swab testing at the subdivision.

Business permit and licensing office chief Melanie Malaya was directed to inspect all commercial establishments after the city government found that there are “huge businesses operated by Chinese” but using Filipinos as fronts, according to Soriano.