Authorities in the Philippines have uncovered secret hospitals that offer plastic surgery for fugitives and scammers seeking to evade arrest. Police raids led to the discovery of two such hospitals in the southern suburbs of Manila, which will be shut down in the coming weeks. The hospitals were found to be helping workers from the Philippines offshore gaming operator (POGO) completely change their appearances in order to avoid capture. These hospitals were unlicensed and employed individuals who did not possess medical licenses to practice in the country.
The POGO centers in the Philippines have been a cause for concern due to alleged ties to China and criminal activities. The hospitals associated with POGO workers offer services such as hair transplants, dentures, and skin whitening sessions to help individuals change their appearances. Authorities found tools for various cosmetic procedures during a raid in May, indicating that the hospitals were fully equipped to provide extensive aesthetic alterations. It was emphasized that these hospitals catered specifically to POGO workers and did not serve other types of criminals looking to evade capture.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission is investigating the full scope of these secret hospitals to determine how many locations exist and the number of patients they have treated. The Bureau of Immigration will be assisting in the investigation process to uncover the extent of the operations and identify individuals who assume fake identities after undergoing plastic surgery. The Philippines has expressed concerns about the criminal activities associated with POGO centers, with some officials being implicated in facilitating fraudulent schemes such as love scams where fake identities are used to extort money.
One of the major concerns highlighted by the investigation is the potential connection between local POGO operations and larger transnational crime networks. The authorities are keen on dismantling these illegal operations to prevent further criminal activities from taking place within the country. The POGO hospitals were found to be operating without proper licenses and permits from government regulatory agencies, indicating a blatant disregard for laws and regulations. Steps are being taken to ensure that these unlicensed facilities are shut down and individuals involved are brought to justice.
Authorities have made arrests related to the unauthorized operation of these hospitals, apprehending Vietnamese and Chinese nationals who were involved in providing illegal medical services. The hospitals were found to offer a range of aesthetic alteration procedures, such as dental implants, hair restoration, and facial rejuvenation. The extent of the services provided by these hospitals highlights the lengths to which individuals were willing to go in order to evade capture and continue illegal activities. The investigation into the POGO centers and associated hospitals remains ongoing to root out all illegal activities and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
As the investigation continues, authorities are determined to uncover the full extent of the illegal activities associated with the POGO centers and the secret hospitals catering to fugitives and scammers. The Philippines government is taking steps to address these issues and prevent further criminal activities from taking place within the country. The discovery of these secret hospitals has shed light on the underground operations that facilitate identity changes and evade capture, highlighting the need for tighter regulations and enforcement measures to combat such illegal activities.
