By: Chris Panganiban
BUTUAN CITY–Two individuals posing as dentists, along with an associate, were apprehended in Butuan City as a result of a joint operation conducted by the Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) aimed at combating illegal dental practices.
The arrests took place in Barangay Libertad on February 18.
PBGen Kirby John B Kraft, director of PRO13, disclosed that the couple, identified by aliases Jan and Mad, along with their associate known as Lon, were apprehended by members of the CIDG-Regional Field Unit-Regional Special Operations Team (RFU-RSOT), Butuan City Police Station (CPS) 3, and the Philippine Dental Association-Agusan del Norte.
The entrapment operation occurred around 1:10 PM, during which undercover police officers engaged the suspects in a transaction via social media, posing as clients seeking dental services. Upon their arrest, the suspects were unable to produce any documentation authorizing them to practice dentistry.
“I urge the public to remain vigilant against these fraudulent dental practitioners, as they pose a potential risk of harm to unsuspecting victims, both minor and major. If you have engaged with individuals of this nature, do not hesitate to report it to the nearest police station,” stated RD Kraft.
Investigators have prepared charges against the arrested individuals for violation of Republic Act 9484, also known as “The Philippine Dental Act of 2007.”
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