BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
KALIBO, Aklan – A nursing graduate from Iloilo City was caught selling drugs that induce abortion here.
Neil Dann Baldeviso Mabaquiao, 29, was arrested in an entrapment operation of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-Aklan) yesterday afternoon.
Mabaquiao sold several abortifacient drugs to an undercover agent at the food court of Gaisano Capital mall, said Senior Inspector John Paul Tovera, CIDG-Aklan chief.
The suspect could be behind the proliferation of abortifacients in Western Visayas, he added.
Abortion is illegal in the Philippines. Article II of the 1987 Constitution says, in part, “Section 12. The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution.” It shall “equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception.”
CIDG-Aklan learned of Mabaquiao’s clandestine business from an informant.
The suspect received orders for Cytotec pills through test messaging, said Tovera.
On Monday, a CIDG agent placed an order – 10 pads of Cytotec (Compridos Misoprostol, 200 mcg), two pads of Metyhylergometrin (Methergin) and two vials of Ceftriaxone Sodium (Fergram) powder – and set a meeting with Mabaquiao at the mall the next day around 9:30 a.m.
The suspect was immediately arrested after receiving from the undercover policeman P32,500 cash as payment for the orders.
Mabaquiao started his illegal business on March this year, selling a tablet for P450, said Tovera.
“Itong mga gamot ay nabibili lamang pag may reseta ng duktor (Doctor’s prescription is needed to buy these drugs),” said Tovera, referring to the items that the suspect delivered to the undercover policeman.
Other items recovered from Mabaquiao were two ampules sterile water for injection, mobile phones, syringes, and handwritten instructions on how to take the drugs.
Tovera said the seized drugs will be turned over to the local Bureau of Food and Drugs for analysis.
Mabaquiao was detained at the Kalibo police station. He will be charged with violation of Section 11 of Republic Act 3720, as amended by Republic Act No. 9711 (Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009).
Abortion is criminalized by the Revised Penal Code, which was enacted in 1930 and remains in effect today.
Articles 256, 258 and 259 of the Code mandate imprisonment for the woman who undergoes the abortion, as well as for any person who assists in the procedure, even if they be the woman’s parents, a physician or midwife.
Article 258 further imposes a higher prison term on the woman or her parents if the abortion is undertaken “in order to conceal (the woman’s) dishonor.”/PN
