Charity organization belies ‘false claims’

MABALACAT CITY -- Officials of the World Medical Relief, Incorporated (WMRI) has denounced what they described as an assault against the integrity and reputation of the charitable organization by a member of a local foundation.

The charitable nongovernment organization based in Michigan, USA was reacting to the statement of William Lima, a former member of the WMR-Philippine National Business and Coordination Center Foundation (PNBCCF) board of trustees.

Samson said the 66-year-old humanitarian aid institution does not deserve the “highly slanderous and underhanded tirades of Mr. Lima.”

“On behalf of WMRI, I have to express my indignation over the unexpected, unjustified and unfair falsehoods and fabricated lies thrown by one William Lima against WMR,” president and chief executive officer George Samson stated.

Lima reportedly filed a complaint before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against WMRI and Mindanao-based David Zarate, Philippine coordinator of the organization, for allegedly shipping P45 billion worth of unusable and discarded medical equipment and supplies including dialysis machines and expired medicines.

WMRI executives on December 13, 2019 a libel case against Lima, and two Philippine News Agency (PNA) journalists who allegedly “discredited the honor of WMRI’s philanthropic mission in the Philippines.”

Samson claimed that Lima was the alleged source of the information published in the PNA website entitled “NBI probes P45B medical waste dumping racket in PHL.”

“Lima et al published the article without due regard for truth, propriety and fairness,” Samson said.

Sometime in 2017, the WMRI disclosed that Lima requested for donation of 10-container vans of medical equipment and supplies for the North Cotabato Medical Center, which is owned by his daughter.

Of the 10 containers, four were delivered to Lima on November 23, 2017 and were instead turned over to the Lanang Premiere Doctors Hospital as the North Cotabato Medical Center is still under construction.

The actual turnover of the medical equipment and supplies worth $1.6 million took place on March 1, 2018, according to the WMRI.

The remaining six containers were cancelled and the PNBCCF returned the P9 million shipping cost Lima paid in advance.

On April 24, 2018, Zarate said Lima visited for the second time the WMRI office in headquarters in Michigan together with his assistant, H.B. Yalung.

Lima then suggested to Samson that bulk shipment of pre-sorted medical supplies be coursed through the former’s warehouse in Subic Freeport, Zambales, according to Zarate.

Samson said Lima will tap medical students to handle the sorting of supplies.

“He (Lima) even said that he would like to replicate WMRI’s sorting process in the Philippines. In that way, he said he can help students finance their studies,” Samson added.

On May 14, 2018, the WMRI and the PNBCCFI represented by Lima forged an agreement to start the sorting of medical supplies.

But according to the WMRI, the agreement simply referred to as bulk medical supplies and not high-value medical supplies and equipment as claimed by Lima.

The memorandum of agreement called for the shipment of five containers of bulk medical supplies on May 24, 2018 and Lima paid P10 million to cover the shipment fee and other expenses.

But Lima changed the destination from Subic to Davao City and then Cavite.

Zarate said three containers were shipped from Manila to Davao City.

Claiming pilferage during the shipping, Lima refused to accept the remaining two containers, Zarate added.

Because of the issue, Zarate said Lima claimed refund for the P10 million he paid for the shipment of the medical supplies.

With his desire to help Lima recover the amount he paid, Zarate said he persuaded Samson to arrange the donation of anti-cancer medicines worth P27 million.

Lima accepted the proposal and a deed of donation was executed. However, Zarate claimed that Lima changed his mind and even questioned the legality of the donation.

With former Manila City Councilor Bernie Ang’s intercession, Zarate said he returned the P4 million to Lima to cover the two containers the latter failed to receive.

Zarate dared Lima to produce the three container vans of medical supplies and the P6 million he is claiming will be released.

“We escrowed the P6 million in the bank. Once he returned the medical supplies, we will give him back his money,” Zarate said.

Ang, who is also a member of the PNBCCF Board of Trustees, challenged Lima to file a formal case relative to his allegations.

“If you a strong case, then go to court. Why include me, I have nothing to do [with the transactions],” Ang said.

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