Gaming facility claims no participation
Fontana Leisure Parks & Casino in the Philippines is denying reports of an illegal COVID-19 hospital on its grounds. The casino resort, located in the Clark Freeport Zone, was shut down last week after police discovered a “makeshift” hospital operating out of an on-site villa. The operator says it had no involvement and did not participate in the alleged operations.
A concerned citizen tipped off authorities to the existence of the alleged medical facility. Fontana stated it no longer has control over the villa in question as it is now a residential property.
Fontana does not control villa
According to Fontana Development Corporation, the Shidaikeji Technology Corporation controls the villa. Fontana told Inside Asian Gaming that Shidaikeji assured it that the villa is for employee needs only and not for treatment of COVID-19.
The company said: “Fontana has zero operations at present, and we are going to resume our casino operations after the lifting of the community quarantine.”
The illegal COVID-19 hospital shutdown
Authorities shut down the casino last week after a raid by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. The Food and Drug Administration also took part, along with the Clark Development Corporation.
Police arrested two men during the raid. Hu Ling was supposedly identified as the owner of the illegal COVID-19 hospital, while Lee Seung-Hyun was allegedly the pharmacist of the facility. Police reportedly let the two men go and no charges were filed.
poses danger to individuals who potentially need medical treatment for the deadly disease”
After the raid, the CDC said it plans to prosecute and punish those involved in the hospital, adding, “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.”