PNP: 6 arrested for offering unauthorized dental services online

Six individuals were arrested in separate entrapment operations in different parts of the country for allegedly offering unauthorized dental services online, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Sunday.

In a statement, the PNP said the suspects were arrested in Catanduanes, Ormoc City in Leyte, Iloilo City, and Zamboanga City earlier this month as part of the police force’s campaign against misleading cyber-enabled practices and protect public health.

In Ormoc City, operatives of the Ormoc City Cyber Response Team arrested two women aged 36 and 24 and a male suspect aged 32 following operations conducted on April 7 and April 11.

In Catanduanes, a 35-year-old male was arrested in Virac on April 7. In Iloilo City, a 21-year-old female was apprehended in Jaro on April 10.

Meanwhile, a 22-year-old male suspect was arrested in Zamboanga City on the same day.

All suspects will face charges for allegedly violating Republic Act (RA) 9484 or the 2007 Philippine Dental Act in relation to RA 10175 or the 2012 Cybercrime Prevention Act.

“We are continuously warning the public against online individuals who offer services beyond their professional authority. Ang layunin natin ay protektahan ang ating mga kababayan mula sa anumang uri ng panlilinlang, lalo na sa mga serbisyong may kinalaman sa kalusugan (Our goal is to protect our countrymen from any kind of deceit, especially regarding health-related services),” PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

He also reminded the public of their role in supporting the PNP in its law enforcement efforts.

“Ang kapulisan ay patuloy na nakaantabay, ngunit mahalaga ang pagiging mapanuri at ang agarang pag-uulat ng kahina-hinalang aktibidad online (Our police force is always on alert, but it is important for the public to be critical and immediately report suspicious activities online),” Nartatez added. — JMA, GMA News