Suspect in string of sex assaults on dentists caught

A man who allegedly posed as a patient before tying up, molesting, and robbing women dentists was arrested after an accomplice tipped off the police. The Philippine Dental Association had alerted its members of the crime pattern last June. The suspect, Albert Dela Cruz, said in a report on GMA News’ “News To Go" on Monday that he despised medical professionals because he blamed them for the death of his friend. He added that he only targeted dentists because they were "accessible." Quoting police officials, GMA News reporter Ian Cruz said the suspect tried to resist arrest by taking out a knife and a tear gas canister. He was, however, subdued during the operation in Pilar Village on Sunday. Seized from Dela Cruz was one sachet of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, the report said. Philippine Dental Association (PDA) President Dr. Robert Tajonera, who attended the presentation of Dela Cruz to the media, said he was relieved that authorities have finally arrested the main suspect in the crimes.

"Ito po ay malaking relief at napakagandang balita sa amin at sa wakas dininig po ng Panginoon yung aming panalangin na sana po mahuli dahil po hindi na po makatao yung ginagawa," he said. One of Dela Cruz’s alleged victims, who refused to be identified, said she was not satisfied with the suspect just serving jail time. "Gusto ko siyang patayin, gusto kong gumanti sa kanya kasi naaalala ko kung paano ang ginawa niya sa amin," she said in the same report. Chief Superintendent Alan Purisima of the National Capital Region Police Office called on other victims to come forward and file cases against the suspect and his alleged cohorts. "I am calling on all victims to pursue this case so that these two suspects will not be allowed out of jail anymore," he said, referring to Ronald Policarpio, who was earlier apprehended in Bagong Silangan, Quezon City. The TV report said Policarpio was instrumental in locating Dela Cruz. Last June, the PDA had alerted its members to a series of crimes perpetrated by a man who would initially pose as a patient to get inside the clinic. Once inside, the victim would be tied and molested. The assaults were reported in Bulacan, Antipolo, Marikina, and Manila. A month later, authorities caught a suspect named Richard Gamboa, who was positively identified by one of his victims in Biñan, Laguna. Cruz said that the NCRPO is still trying to locate the other suspects involved in the crimes. Tajonera, meanwhile, suggested to dentists to install closed-circuit television or CCTV cameras and employ male bodyguards for their protection. - KBK/HS, GMA News