Four ‘abortionists’ to face charges in court

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office has elevated to court the case filed against individuals who were allegedly involved in abortion activities.

Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Rogelio Del Prado Jr. has found probable cause to prosecute Joey Paulino Guirigay, Francisca Rebamonte, Gloria Dalogdog Gabutin and Meryteissie Rural.

“The undersigned believes that the filing of this case for Attempted Intentional Abortion is in line with Section 12 of the Constitution and there is probable cause that the crime is committed and the respondents are probably guilty thereof,” read part of the disposition of Del Prado dated May 6, 2021.

The National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-CEVRO) conducted a separate entrapment operation against the group’s activity in Cebu City and Talisay City on April 29, 2021.

The group allegedly offering or promoting abortion services online through Facebook page managed by Guirigay, a computer programmer from Bohol.

One of the services is the “suction abortion” which costs up to P30,000.

An entrapment operation was made through the operatives of the agency who pretended to be a client interested to get the suspects’ service.

The operation took place in Barangay Mohon in Talisay City and Barangay Labangon in Cebu City.

While the case filed by NBI-7 in Cebu City was elevated to the court, the Talisay City Prosecutor’s Office decided to file the case under regular preliminary investigation.

Talisay City Prosecutor Marshal Rubia directed the NBI-7 to submit additional evidence and documents needed to establish probable cause on the crime. — GMR (FREEMAN)