By Minka Klaudia Tiangco
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Thursday seized around P50-million worth of allegedly overpriced medical supplies and equipment in warehouses in San Juan and Malabon.
OVERPRICED MEDICAL SUPPLIES–Elements of the Bureau of Customs seize around P50-million worth of allegedly overpriced medical supplies and equipment in warehouses in San Juan and Malabon. The said warehouses are owned by Omnibus Bio-medical System, Inc., that is tagged for selling overpriced automatic extraction machines to the government and conducting smuggling operations. (BOC photo/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Omnibus Bio-medical System, Inc., the owner of the warehouses, was tagged in a Senate inquiry for selling overpriced automatic extraction machines to the government.
The company was also said to be under investigation for alleged smuggling operations, the Customs said in a statement released Sunday.
Elements of the BOC, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) led the raid in the said warehouses, where they found medical equipment such as high-pressure stream sterilizer, blood bags, books, and real-time quantitative thermal cycler, among others.
Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte asked the NBI to probe the allegations that the local supplier is selling overpriced medical equipment.
This after former Health Secretary and now Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin urged the President to order an investigation on the couple who owned the company.
Omnibus has since denied the allegations and maintained that their prices for medical supplies and equipment are fair.
The BOC said it will be filing a case against the company for violation of Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act and R.A. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act after it failed “to show proof of payment of duties and taxes.”