NBI to summon doctors in organ trafficking scheme

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will summon three doctors said to be involved in an organ trafficking syndicate allegedly led by a nurse from the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI).

The doctors’ alleged role is the blood matching of the donors, according to three suspects arrested by the NBI in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

Nine victims were rescued in the operation. The suspects reportedly recruited the victims and facilitated the sale of their kidneys for P200,000.

“If the doctor had knowledge about the syndicate, he will be held liable,” NBI Director Jaime Santiago said in a news briefing on Tuesday.

The names of the doctors were not disclosed by the NBI, which earlier identified the alleged leader of the syndicate as NKTI nurse Allan Ligaya.

NKTI officials, in a press conference yesterday, confirmed that Ligaya works for the hospital, but the nurse – who remains at large – vehemently denied the allegation.

The NKTI said it is conducting its own investigation into the matter. It also warned the public against entering into questionable transactions.

“The NKTI, being the National Specialty Center for Renal Health and Organ Transplantation, honors only legitimate transactions regarding living donation and transplantation, including deceased organ donation,” the government-run hospital said yesterday.