CBCP backs drive vs abortion pills

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines spokesman Monsignor Pedro Quitorio III lauded yesterday the law enforcers’ campaign against the reported rampant selling of an abortifacient drug in the vicinity of Quiapo Church.

"These vendors sell their herbal medicines and abortion pills outside the Church. We encourage the law enforcers in their campaign because abortion is illegal. It is both considered illegal by the Constitution and by the Church," Quitorio said.

Just last Nov. 29, operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation-Field Operations Division (NBI-FOD) apprehended six alleged vendors of abortion pills in the Quiapo area. They recommended that the suspects be charged with violating Executive Order 175, otherwise known as Food, Drugs and Cosmetics Act, before the Manila city prosecutor’s office.

NBI-FOD Head Agent Roland Argabioso said the suspects were Florenda Ledda, 35, of Sampaloc, Manila; Tessie Agan, 41, of Quiapo, Manila; Ronald Angeles Jr., 26, of Barangay Rivera in San Juan; Orlando Atchico, 28, and Gina Atchico, 30, both of Sta. Cruz, Manila; and Emiliana Tolentino, 51, of San Juan.

During the raid, police allegedly seized 79 Cytotec pills worth about P7,000.

Drug firm Searle developed Cytotec (generic name misoprostol) to help prevent gastric ulcers among people who have to take a lot of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The Bureau of Food and Drugs banned its sale and distribution in the Philippines in the late 1990s after receiving reports the drug was being misused as an abortifacient.

Argabioso said there were about 80 people allegedly selling Cytotec along Evangelista Street beside Quiapo Church, also known as the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, at the corner of G. Puyat Street (formerly Raon) and Quezon Boulevard, Quezon Blvd.. in front of Quiapo Church, at the corner of Paterno Street and Quezon Blvd., and at the corner of Evangelista and Paterno.

"These vendors can easily dispose 50 boxes of Cytotec a day in the Quiapo area alone," Argabioso said, adding that their customers range in age from 17 to 28 years old and come from various walks of life — students, prostitutes, married couples.

Vendors purchase Cytotec at P25 each from their supplier, and sell them to their customers for P60 to P100 each. A customer is supposed to buy at least six pills, and enclosed in this set is an instruction manual on the use of Cytotec as an abortifacient.

Shipments of this illegal drug are reportedly brought in by a Pakistani national who uses Singapore as a transshipment point.

Argabioso said they prepared the entrapment operation based on the complaint filed by Buhay party-list Rep. Christian Seneres.

"Our drive against the illegal sale of this drug is a continuing campaign against clandestine modes of abortion in the country. From the halls of Congress where we fought for the enactment of House Bill 4643 or the Anti-Abortive Drugs and Devices Act, we will continue to fight for the life of the unborn in the streets," Seneres stated in his letter to Argabioso.

Argabioso assigned agents to pose as buyers. At 3:25 p.m. on Nov. 29, the NBI-FOD organized a buy-bust operation and prepared 25 pieces of marked P100 bills and arrested the six vendors.

Argabioso said increasing the penalty for offenders is a good deterrent.

"We should have a higher penalty. At present, those found guilty in court of violating EO 175 would only suffer one to five years’ imprisonment and pay the fine P5,000 to P10,000," he said.