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Manila: Philippine officials have promised to help investigate local doctors and hospitals in a scam that cost the US military $100 million (Dh367 million) in false claims supposedly for retired American servicemen and their dependents.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the government is willing to help in the investigation "but we will have to wait for a formal request from the US".
A federal judge earlier ordered a Philippine company to pay back $100 million it swindled from the US military's health insurance programme by submitting fraudulent insurance claims of American servicemen.
Reports said local firm Health Visions Corporation pleaded guilty to mail fraud and was ordered to liquidate all assets within 10 months and remit the proceeds to the US government.
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales said the government will cooperate with the US in prosecuting those responsible for the scam including extraditing about five people allegedly involved in the case. Health Visions was found swindling the US military health care programme from 1998 to 2004 by presenting fraudulent insurance claims of retired US servicemen and their dependents.
The Presidential Palace expressed dismay over the case involving some Filipino doctors and hospitals.
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