MANILA, Philippines — A male individual was arrested for allegedly selling medication supposedly used to induce abortions in Quezon City, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said on Tuesday.
The suspect was entrapped along 18th Avenue in Barangay San Roque in the Cubao area last Thursday, according to the CIDG in a statement.
It identified the suspect as a 30-year-old man with the alias “Mar,” a resident of Quiapo, Manila.
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“The operation was launched following a tip-off received by the Women and Children Protection helpline regarding an alarming Messenger chat group dedicated to discussing abortion and the illicit sale of related medications,” CIDG explained.
“Following a thorough validation and investigation, the CIDG operatives successfully caught the suspect delivering the ordered medicines to a poseur-buyer,” it added.
The police further noted that it confiscated six tablets of 200 micrograms of misoprostol; four tablets of 10 milligrams of menadione sodium; and six unlabeled white tablets in a transparent plastic.
Although the police did not say the suspect’s current disposition, it noted that he may face a case for violation of Republic Act No. 9711 or the Food and Drug Administration Act.
“The operation does not only [curtail] unlawful activities but also [prevents] potential health risks to the public, particularly pregnant women who may be exposed to unregulated and unsafe pharmaceutical products,” CIDG said. /mr
