Valenzuela hospital under investigation over detention complaints

MANILA, Philippines —  A private hospital in Valenzuela is currently being investigated over complaints of illegal detention reported by family members of patients who have yet to settle their bills.

The Valenzuela City government said two individuals, Richel Mae Alvaro, 26, and Lovery Magtangob, 28, filed separate complaints against ACE Medical Center employees for serious illegal detention and slight illegal detention.

“Valenzuela City Mayor Wes Gatchalian ordered the investigation of ACE Medical Center over complaints on Serious Illegal Detention defined and penalized under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code and Slight Illegal Detention defined and penalized under Article 268 of the same Code,” the city government said in a statement on Wednesday.

According to Alvaro, her husband was admitted to ACE Medical Center’s intensive care unit (ICU) and later died on February 14.

The hospital management prevented her from leaving the hospital premises as she has yet to settle the P518,519.37 bill. 

Alvaro claims the hospital did not even allow her to buy food outside, and was even closely monitored by security guards at the ICU waiting area, where she was forced to stay for almost three days.

“It was only last February 17, that she was able to go home, as she managed to escape using the back gate of the hospital,” the city government said.

Meanwhile, Magtangob and her brother had a similar experience when they took their sister-in-law to the same hospital on February 22, where she died due to complications from a thyroid storm.

Hospital security guards instructed Magtangob not to leave the hospital premises while her brother was settling the P777,378 hospital bill.

Both Alvaro and Magtangob claimed that the hospital merely issued them probational death certificates and were told that one of the family members should stay at the hospital while the bill is being settled.

“The foregoing incidents prompted Alvaro and Santos to seek the help of Mayor Wes Gatchalian for the release of the death certificates of their deceased relatives, as well as assistance on the filing of appropriate complaints against the responsible officers and employees of the hospital,” the city government added.

Gatchalian said the city government closely monitored the cases, and gave the complaints free legal assistance with formal charges already filed on March 5 and April 1.

The hospital , meanwhile, submitted a counter-affidavit denying the complaints against them, while Magtangob’s camp is set to file a reply-affidavit by April 3.

Gatchalian then assured the public the rights of patients will be protected in the city, adding that the city council is already drafting an ordinance prohibiting the detention of patients in the hospital.

Gatchalian also told residents of Valenzuela city to report similar cases through its V-Alert mobile application.