Woman, newborn son rescued from Tondo hospital

MANILA, Philippines - Police rescued yesterday a 26-year-old woman and her newborn son from a private maternity hospital in Tondo, Manila that allegedly illegally detained them for failing to pay the bills.

Sandy Macalansag sought the help of Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim after the Amisola Maternity Hospital reportedly refused to release her and her baby unless she pays the hospital bill that rose to P62,000 since she gave birth on Jan. 4.

According to Macalansag, her partner, Richard Gallofin, 31, who is currently unemployed, already paid P8,000 and promised to issue a promissory note for the balance. However, the hospital wanted 50 percent of the bill paid before Macalansag and her baby are released.

Gallofin had sought financial assistance from Vice President Noli de Castro and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office but this proved futile, she added.

Lim assigned General Assignment Section chief Senior Inspector Marcelo Reyes, who told hospital director Dr. Salome Amisola that it is illegal for a hospital to hold a person for being unable to pay hospital expenses.

The hospital management released the mother and her baby and accepted Gallofin’s promissory note.

Following their release, the mother and her baby underwent medical checkup at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Hospital, which also provided an ambulance for the two patients.               – Nestor Etolle