NBI raids illegal blood bank

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents recently raided a clinical laboratory illegally operating as a blood bank in Sta. Cruz, Manila and arrested eight of its employees.

The clinic reportedly even kept blood tainted with the deadly human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which was earlier undetected by the establishment.

NBI Director Nestor Mantaring identified the clinic as the Mother Seaton Clinical Laboratory (MSC Lab) on F. Yuseco street in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

The NBI also arrested employees Fely Monsale, Melvin Monsale, Ailyn Guiab, Snooky Buenaventura, Salvacion Parocho, Evelyn Parocho, Quintino Galvan, and Rudyl Azarcon. They were released the following day after they were booked at the NBI.

They were charged on Oct. 23 before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office with violating Section 12 of the Republic Act 7719 or the National Blood Services Act of 1994.

Also charged on Oct. 23 were Kareen Laragan, owner of the clinical laboratory, and Dr. Evelyn Jimenez, a pathologist of the clinical laboratory. The two were not arrested since they were not present during the raid.

An investigation by the NBI-Special Action Unit (NBI-SAU), headed by Lawyer Angelito Magno, found that on Oct. 17, Department of Health (DOH) Center for Health Development director Dr. Asuncion Anden told the NBI that she received information about a person with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) who was able to sell his blood to a certain blood bank in Sta. Cruz, Manila. It was later on identified as the MSC Lab.

MSC Lab in Sta. Cruz, though licensed to operate as a clinical laboratory, is not authorized to operate as a blood bank, NBI investigations said.

Under Republic Act 7719, commercial blood banks are prohibited from operating as such, and the law aims to stop unsafe procedure of collecting blood commercially.

Moreover, it designates the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) and accredited hospitals with required licenses issued by the DOH to collect, store and distribute safe blood, and operate as blood banks, the NBI also said.

Acting on the information, NBI-SAU operatives conducted an entrapment operation.

Mother Seaton was reportedly selling blood for P1,160 per bag.

Anden, in her report to the NBI, said MSC Lab does not have any permit or license authorizing them to operate a blood bank. On the other hand, Anden provided the License to Operate a clinical laboratory issued by the Center for Health Development-Metro Manila, for MSC Lab for hematology, clinical microscopy and serology tests. Thus, she said, MSC Lab is authorized to operate as a clinical laboratory but not as a blood bank, she told the NBI.

“The lawful arrest was made after an entrapment operation. There was a transaction that was consummated with the MSC Lab receiving money and handing two blood bags,” said the NBI as it recommended the filing of charges against the owner, pathologist and employees of MSC Lab.