A swab test laboratory center in Malate, Manila, that was found to be operating without a permit, was shut down by the police on Tuesday morning (March 23).
According to a report, the center has been operating online for three weeks now, charging P3,000 for swab tests, and is in the process of securing necessary documents to operate in Manila.
The owner of the said laboratory reportedly presented a certification from its main clinic that they claimed was issued by the Department of Health (DOH).
Police, who went to the laboratory at around 11 a.m., retrieved various medical testing kits, a photocopy of a license to operate, and two receipts of online payment.
The documents will verify the confiscated documents. Meanwhile, the laboratory was closed.
The laboratory owner may face charges for violation of City Ordinance No. 8831 for operating a business without a permit.
In a live broadcast on Facebook on Tuesday, Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso warned the public to be careful of such laboratories because their credibility is not ensured.
"Paano ka makakasigurado na... kung ikaw ay negative, ay totoong negative ka (How can you be sure that when you test negative for COVID-19, you really tested negative)?" he said.
"Iwasan ninyo, huwag ninyong shino-shortcut. Para sainyo rin 'yan (Avoid them, don't take shortcuts. It's for your own good)," he added.
Domagoso stressed that the city government provides swab tests for both residents and non-residents of Manila for free.