Guevarra: NBI prepared to assist in hunting down infected foreigners
By Jeffrey Damicog
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is prepared to help hunt down Chinese nationals and other foreigners who sought treatment for the deadly 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at an illegal medical in Pampanga, assured Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday, May 21.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra (TOTO LOZANO / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
“I think the CIDG (Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) and the BI (Bureau of Immigration) are coordinating well enough,” he said concerning current operations to track down the foreigners.
“I will let the NBI step in if the manhunt encounters rough sailing,” Guevarra assured.
Guevarra pointed out that two Chinese nationals arrested by the PNP-CIDG “would probably provide further info as to the rest of the persons involved.”
Earlier, the Secretary directed the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to help the PNP in tracking down infected foreigners who sought treatment at the illegal facility.
The PNP raided the facility last May 19 located inside a villa of the Fontana Resort and Convention Center inside the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.
Authorities arrested during the operation Chinese nationals Ling Hu, 45, the alleged owner of the facility, and Seung-Hyun Lee, 38.
Because of the incident, the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) has decided to place Fontana Resort under lockdown.
Meanwhile, BI Deputy Commission Toby Javier reported to Guevarra that BI’s Intelligence Division has been closely coordinating with the PNP-CIDG since Wednesday, May 20.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra (TOTO LOZANO / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
“I think the CIDG (Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) and the BI (Bureau of Immigration) are coordinating well enough,” he said concerning current operations to track down the foreigners.
“I will let the NBI step in if the manhunt encounters rough sailing,” Guevarra assured.
Guevarra pointed out that two Chinese nationals arrested by the PNP-CIDG “would probably provide further info as to the rest of the persons involved.”
Earlier, the Secretary directed the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to help the PNP in tracking down infected foreigners who sought treatment at the illegal facility.
The PNP raided the facility last May 19 located inside a villa of the Fontana Resort and Convention Center inside the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.
Authorities arrested during the operation Chinese nationals Ling Hu, 45, the alleged owner of the facility, and Seung-Hyun Lee, 38.
Because of the incident, the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) has decided to place Fontana Resort under lockdown.
Meanwhile, BI Deputy Commission Toby Javier reported to Guevarra that BI’s Intelligence Division has been closely coordinating with the PNP-CIDG since Wednesday, May 20.