5 arrested for offering abortion services online

CEBU, Philippines —  At least five individuals in Cebu were arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-7 for offering and promoting abortion services online.

Gloria Gabutin, 61; Meryteissie Rural, 59; Amparo Gemarangan, 82; Francisca Rebamonte, 42; and Joey Guirigay, 38; were arrested during entrapment operations in Talisay City and Cebu City on April 29, 2021.

The group allegedly offered their services on a Facebook page managed by Guirigay, a computer programmer from Bohol.

The Facebook page reportedly indicates that the services are offered by a certain Jannah OB Gyne or Michelle Meyer.

"Ang iyang qualification, operating room nurse kuno sya sa usa ka local hospital sa atoa nya studied sa usa ka local medical school sad kuno so kuyaw kaayo’g nga credentials,” said NBI-7 Director Rennan Oliva.

Clients allegedly had two choices – a “suction abortion” that costs P30,000, which would be carried out by a licensed OB Gyne at a private clinic, or abortion through the intake of pills that cost up to P9,500.

Oliva said Guirigay had assistants who would look for prospective clients. Rebamonte was allegedly one of them and she would allegedly bring clients to a clinic in Talisay City.

During the entrapment operation in Talisay City, the NBI arrested Rebamonte and Gemarangan, one of the alleged abortionists, at Gemerangan’s house in Barangay Mohon.

One of the NBI’s staffers, a pregnant woman, posed as a client.

A follow-up operation on A. Lopez Street in Cebu City brought the NBI to the alleged abortion clinic managed by Gabutin. It also paved the way for the arrest of Guirigay, Gabutin, and Gabutin’s assistant, Rural.

Oliva said their investigation showed that the suspects’ illegal activities date as far back as 2011.

"Nitunog na ni ilang ngan since 2011 dira sa A. Lopez... up to now, they are still existing maong nadakpan sila,” Oliva said.

Denial

The suspects denied the allegations.

Rebamonte, for one, said Guirigay only asked her to meet certain people and bring them to Talisay City.

"Naninda ra man ko’g buwak... gisugo ra man ko ani niya, kaning laki (Guirigay) nga makig kita sa mall... ambot kay mu-text ra man ni sya nako nga adto sa mall naa kay dad-on sa Talisay… naa koy nadala pero niingon ko niya nga wa ko kahibaw,” Rebamonte said.

Gemarangan also denied being an abortionist and said people would go to her house only to seek for advice as she had worked in family planning in the past.

"Di man ko mudawat ingon ani… ila gyud kong giangin ani… wa gyud koy knowledge ingon ani (abortion)... wala gyud,” she said.

Rural and Gabutin, for their part, said they are just residents in the area and that they were surprised when they were picked up by authorities. 

Gabutin did not comment directly on the abortion allegations.

The five are facing charges for intentional abortion, conspiracy, and for violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

"Nganong naay cybercrime? Ang advertisement aning abortionist, niagi sa Facebook so ang medium nga gigamit sa ilang advertisement for the criminal act, Facebook,” Oliva said. — JMO (FREEMAN)