NBI and FDA agents inventory stockpile of Chinese medicines inside supermarket. Photo courtesy of NBI-3
CLARK FREEPORT – Three Chinese nationals were arrested in a raid Thursday on a supermarket which turned out to be a mere front serving as warehouse for Chinese medicines here.
Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation-Central Luzon Office and the Food and Drug Administration swooped down on Supermarket No Nineth and discovered some P20 million worth of medicines, food supplements, and cosmetics with labels in Chinese characters.
Those arrested were identified as Zidong Guo, 53, who introduced himself as a doctor; Chen Weiming, 31, and Hong Qiao Ling, 28. They have been taken to the NBI-CL for detention pending the filing of appropriate charges against them for vioolations of the FDA law, the pharmacy law and illegal practice of medicine.
NBI agent Aries Manaloto said the supermarket offered free medical consultation and sold medicines without permission from the FDA: “All you have to do is pumasok ka doon and tell them kung anong sakit mo and pabibilhan ka nila ng gamot.”
The team also raided a nearby former restaurant which was used as warehouse of Chinese goods and medicines.
“Unang-una these are all unregistered po kahit food po. Mapapansin n’yo mga Chinese characters po ‘yan wala pong English translation. Ang requirement po kasi natin sa batas dapat may English translation kung ima-market natin dito,” explained Gomel Gabuna, cluster head director of FDA–North Luzon.
Atty. Archice Albao, NBI supervising agent, said they are still ascertaining the connection of the supermarket-warehouse as the supplier of the medicines found in the makeshift pharmacy and hospital at the Fontana Leisure Park that was raided last May 19.
A warehouse at the PhilExcel industrial park was subsequently raided by the NBI and FDA where stockpiles of Chinese medicines were seized, believed to be also supplies for the Fontana “hospital.”
In another raid on May 28, at the Koreatown District adjacent to this freeport, two Chinese nationals were arrested operating a makeshift clinic inside and unlicensed pharmacy store.
