Black Suede Scandal: Victim plans criminal raps vs VSMMC team

Aside from the administrative complaint filed by graft investigators of the Visayas Ombudsman against the doctors and other hospital staff involved in the filming of the removal of a canister from the rectum of a florist, a criminal case will be filed against them at the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.

The complainant’s lawyer Guiller Ceniza said that they will be filing the case anytime this week at the City Prosecutor’s Office.

Ceniza said that with the development of the case, the complainant will pursue filing charges against those who were involved in the video scandal that circulated over YouTube and mobile phones.

Basak-Pardo barangay captain Dave Tumulak who is helping the complainant also said that with the findings, the patient said he will pursue the case against the medical team.

The Ombudsman report cited the doctors and nurses for failing to stop the students and others in using cameras and cell phones inside a place where sanitation is supposed to be strictly observed.

“They also failed to stop the laughing and cracking of jokes which are insulting in nature.  Such conduct of the VSMMC doctors and nurses in the middle of the operation, too much jokes, laughter, use of video cameras and mobile phones, and unruly OR behavior could not just be ignored and let go as these caused embarrassment,” the report added.

Impleaded for criminal investigation are doctors Philipps Leo Arias, the surgeon in charge; Marlowe Parreno, the consultant of the Department of Surgery; Angelo Alinawagan, the assistant surgeon, and Joseph Alfred de Leon, the one assigned to document the procedure.

“Also included are doctors Joanne Mae Merilles, the resident anesthesiologist; Serapio Salazar, the consultant of the Department of Anesthesiology, and Max Joseph Montecillo of the Department of Surgery.

“The nurses, in turn, are Isabelita Remulta, the operating room nurse supervisor, circulating nurse Carmenia Sapio, OR nurse supervisor Consuelo Tecling, the nurse on call, Ida Sumayang, and nursing attendant Rosemarie Villareal.”

The clinical instructors,  meanwhile,  are a certain A. Oplado and Ramon Penley “Monching” Pandaan.  -Jasmin R. Uy/BRP