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NBI arrests fake Vietnamese doctor, assistant over illegal condo-based cosmetic surgeries

Zyann Ambrosio

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA -- The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested a Vietnamese national posing as a doctor after uncovering an alleged illegal and underground cosmetic clinic operating inside condominium units in Manila and Quezon City.</p><p>The suspect was arrested in an entrapment operation after allegedly accepting payment for a rhinoplasty or nose enhancement procedure. The operation stemmed from a complaint filed by a concerned citizen.</p><p>“May nag-report sa amin na concerned citizen na may mga foreign nationals na nag-o-operate ng underground cosmetic clinic. Nagbibigay sila ng cosmetic surgery, skincare procedures, at nagdi-dispense ng mga gamot na hindi aprubado sa atin,” said NBI–Dangerous Drugs Division Chief Atty. Jonathan Galicia.</p><p>Galicia said there were previous cases where patients complained of deformities and infections, noting that the procedures were allegedly performed by unskilled practitioners, increasing the risk of serious complications.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/11/05/21/pekeng-doktor-timbog-sa-imus-pasyenteng-lola-namatay">Pekeng doktor timbog sa Imus; pasyenteng lola namatay</a></div><p>Authorities said the group allegedly charged up to PHP 90,000 per procedure.</p><p>The NBI revealed that this is the second time this year that the suspects have been arrested, bringing to five the total number of Vietnamese nationals apprehended in 2025 for allegedly posing as doctors.</p><p>“It raises concern sa amin kung bakit parang they are sprouting like mushrooms. Marami sila rito sa atin, kaya sinusubukan naming alamin kung bakit ito nangyayari,” Galicia said.</p><p>The NBI also warned the public about the dangers of availing cosmetic procedures from unlicensed clinics.</p><p>“Yung mga gamot at treatment na ibinibigay nila ay hindi dumaan sa FDA approval. Ibig sabihin, hindi ito nasuri para sa kaligtasan at kalidad. Kapag ginamit ito, may mataas na risk ng infection at maaaring hindi ito maging epektibo,” Galicia added.</p><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/25/nbi-arrests-fake-korean-doctor-in-makati-1651">NBI arrests fake Korean doctor in Makati</a></div><p>“Mahalagang maging maingat at mapanuri sa pagpili ng klinika. Ang mga lisensyadong doktor ay may tamang training at permiso para magsagawa ng mga operasyon.”</p><p>The suspects face charges for Illegal Practice of Medicine, as well as violations of the FDA Law and the Philippine Pharmacy Act for operating without licenses and distributing unauthorized medicines.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AuAnGzHn8E8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested a Vietnamese national posing as a doctor after uncovering an alleged illegal and underground cosmetic clinic operating inside condominium units in Manila and Quezon City.</p>

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested a Vietnamese national posing as a doctor after uncovering an alleged illegal and underground cosmetic clinic operating inside condominium units in Manila and Quezon City.