3 'abortionists' nabbed in entrapment operation

Three individuals allegedly involved in performing illegal abortions were arrested by authorities inside a motel in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City, on Thursday afternoon, June 19.

- Nicholas Jon Malaga and Romeo Marantal/FPL

The suspects were identified as Amparo Timarangan, 75, and Jessie Hemarang Juntilla, 40, both residents of Mohon, Talisay City; and Romar Solinap Pagunsan, 46, of Guinsay, Danao City.

The operation conducted by the operatives of Police Regional Office-7 was a follow-up to an earlier case on June 13, when three fetuses were found in Liloan, Cebu.

In an interview with reporters, PRO-7 Regional Director Brigadier General Redrico Maranan said investigators traced the suspects through a Facebook page used to transact with their so-called “clients.”

Maranan said each transaction cost P40,000, with the amount split evenly between the abortionist and a “middleman” who coordinated online before the in-person meeting.

“Nagkakahalaga bawat abortion na kanilang ginagawa ng forty thousand pesos (P40,000). (Ang) twenty thousand (P20,000) doon mismo sa gagawa at twenty thousand (P 20,000) naman doon sa middleman,” Maranan said.