Two Chinese arrested for fake Covid-19 drugs in the Philippines

MANILA, May 23, 2020, PhilStar. Two Chinese citizens were arrested in Cavite yesterday for possession of P10 million worth of medicine, which they claim can cure coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19. Police said Zhixing Chen and Lingjie Zhao were apprehended during a raid on a warehouse along Ilaya street in Barangay Niog 2 in Bacoor City, The Philippine Star reported.

A third suspect identified as Achinglee Payoran Xu eluded arrest.

Col. Vicente Cabatingan, Bacoor police chief, said 27 boxes or 259,000 capsules of Linhua Qingwen Jiaonang were seized during the operation.

Police said the drugs were recovered in a warehouse of APEX Liquid Dishwashing Products Trading in the compound of Prime Pacific United Consortium.

Probers said the medicine is not registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In an advisory issued on May 6, the FDA warned the public against buying Lianhua Qingwen Jiaonang, saying it did not go through registration and testing processes and has no certificate of product registration.

“The agency cannot guarantee its quality and safety. The consumption of such violative product may pose potential danger or injury if administered,” the FDA said.

The suspects face charges for violation of Republic Act 9711 or the Food and Drug Administration Act in relation to RA 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act.

On Tuesday, agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group raided a clandestine hospital at the Fontana Leisure Parks at Clark Freeport in Pampanga. Chinese citizens infected with COVID-19 were reportedly treated in the hospital. Rudy Santos