MANILA – Hospital equipment have began to be pulled out from the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, June 1.

Health workers and residents from surrounding communities barricaded the gate to prevent two trucks carrying out equipment from the hospital. The Alliance of Health Workers said police men and additional security guards are now deployed in the area.

The Home Guaranty Corporation (HGC) gave the hospital only up to June 9 to vacate the area.

Health workers and women groups from the communities are opposing what they perceived to be the closure of the hospital, as the land it occupies in Lope De Vega street in Manila will be used for commercial purposes.

The Department of Health (DOH) claimed the hospital will only be transferred within the DOH compound.

Text by Anne Marxze D. Umil
With contributed photos