Secret Malabon birthing clinic raided

A barangay chair is being investigated by Malabon City officials after a clandestine maternity clinic was found to be operating at the second floor of the Barangay Tonsuya health center last week.

According to a statement from city hall on Monday, “probers will invite Barangay Tonsuya chair Pol Ombas for questioning on allegations that the payments derived from the clandestine operation of the [birthing center] were all remitted … to the barangay.”

“Who are benefiting from this underground maternity clinic is a question that probers would like to find out,” it added.

The maternity clinic, which was found to be operating without permits, was discovered after police officers and city hall personnel raided the health center and arrested Lea Aricayos, 41, a barangay worker.

Aricayos, a licensed midwife, had just helped a mother give birth when she was picked up by the joint team on Aug. 8.

According to her, mothers pay P1,200 to give birth in the secret maternity clinic. The money goes directly to the barangay although Aricayos did not say who received the payments.

Earlier, the Mayor’s Complaint and Action Team received several complaints about a clandestine birthing clinic operating in the health center located at the corner of A. Roque and Perez Streets.

Bong Padua, Malabon public information chief, said this practice was discouraged because it placed mothers and infants at risk. He added that women had died in the past while giving birth in unlicensed clinics.

The secret birthing clinic was on the second floor of Barangay Tonsuya’s dilapidated health center which is located in an alley surrounded by vacant lots. “It’s not easily seen,” said Padua.

He described the maternity clinic as filthy and equipped with two beds. It was hot inside the place which also stank, he added.

Padua said that operating an unlicensed maternity clinic is in violation of Ordinance A12-2016 or the Ordinance Regulating Private Lying-in Clinics in Malabon.