Dialysis Machines, Apparently Used by Marcos, Found in D.C.

Two dialysis machines, apparently used by Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos during a 1982 state visit to the United States, have been discovered at the official residence of the Philippine ambassador, a spokesman said today.

Ben David, the embassy spokesman, said the two machines, used to purify blood for those with kidney failure, were found in a locked closet at the residence after the departure of Ambassador Benjamin Romualdez, Marcos’ brother-in-law.

Ambassador Emmanuel Pelaez, the choice of President Corazon Aquino to handle Philippine relations in Washington, moved in this spring and found the locked door. He asked a locksmith to open the closet, and “they discovered two dialysis machines complete with chemicals,” David said.

Doctors said the equipment had been used, the spokesman said, presumably during Marcos’ 15-day visit to the United States that began Sept. 15, 1982.

Marcos had been reported to have kidney problems at various times during the past few years, though he steadfastly denied that he was in poor health. Similar equipment was found at the president’s Malacanang Palace in Manila after Marcos fled to the United States in February.

“Apparently he had been on dialysis longer than we thought,” David said.