By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) announced on Thursday that an unlicensed dentist was arrested for illegally offering dental services online in Cotabato City.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, ACG spokesperson Lt. Wallen Mae Arancillo said the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit—Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (RACU BAR) operatives nabbed the 26-year-old suspect, alias Jaja, in an entrapment operation inside her residence on March 12.
Arancillo said the operation stemmed from RACU BAR’s cyber patrolling that led to the discovery on March 10 of Jaja’s Facebook post introducing herself as a dentist who offers dental services, including teeth brace installation for PHP1,000.
She said recovered at the scene were various dental equipment and materials, assorted medicines, and uninstalled dentures.
“Nakita din natin during the operation is yung hygiene na ginagawa nitong fake na dentist. Sterilize niya lang itong mga gamit sa mainit na tubig na hindi talaga dapat gawin ng isang dentist (We also saw during the operation the hygiene that this fake dentist was doing. He just sterilized these tools in hot water which is not what a dentist should do),” Arancillo said.
Arancillo said the operatives also noticed that the fake dentist’s clinic lacked “appropriate” dental equipment and tools.
Upon coordinating with the Philippine Dental Association, the RACU BAR confirmed that the suspect is not a licensed dentist.
“Paalala ng ACG maging maingat tayo sa mga too good to be true offers. Murang dental service ay maaaring makaapekto ito sa ating kalusugan (ACG reminds us to be careful with too-good-to-be-true offers. Cheap dental services can affect our health),” she said.
The suspect will be facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9484, or the Philippine Dental Act of 2007, in relation to Section 6 of RA 10175 or Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. (PNA)
