Abortion clinic in Caloocan?

Two fetuses placed in separate plastic containers were discovered early yesterday morning by garbage collectors in Caloocan City, prompting police investigators to look into the possibility that an abortion clinic is operating in the city.

Investigation showed that the fetuses – said to be between four to five months old – were found by garbage collectors among a pile of trash in front of Abes Compound along Samson Road at around 9:25 a.m. They told Barangay Captain Johnny Castillo of Barangay 5 Zone 1, District 1 about their discovery, who in turn reported it to the police.

Each container had the name "Iris Morales" on them, said case investigator PO2 Joel Aquino of the Station Intelligence and Investigation Branch (SIIB).

Aquino added that the containers looked like those used in hospitals, raising suspicions that the fetuses could have come from an abortion clinic. He said that the Eusebio Funeral Homes in Caloocan offered to bury the fetuses at no cost.

Article 258 of the Revised Penal Code states that a woman who practices abortion will suffer the penalty of prison correctional in its minimum and medium periods. Article 259 states that any physician or midwife who causes or assists in an abortion will be meted the same punishment but in its maximum period.

Meanwhile in Malabon, a 22-year-old man, reportedly a nephew of a Philippine sharp shooting Olympic team member, and his companion were arrested Monday night by the police after they were caught carrying unlicensed guns.

Police identified the suspects as Harold Padilla, reportedly a nephew of Olympian Nathaniel "Tac" Padilla, and a resident of Luna 2, Barangay San Agustin, and Jericho Balmores, 18, of 62 Camus Extension, Barangay Ibaba, Malabon.

Investigation showed that the suspects were apprehended by a mobile patrol while on board a gray Toyota Corolla at a checkpoint along Gen. Luna Street in Barangay San Agustin at around 9:15 p.m.

SPO1 Reynaldo Lim was reportedly inspecting the suspects’ car when he noticed a caliber .22 revolver with three live ammunition, an 18-inch long homemade shotgun and a bullet, said case investigator SPO1 George Gubatan.

Gubatan added that Lim asked the suspects for the guns’ licenses but they failed to produce any.

Police filed charges of illegal possession of firearms and violation of the Omnibus Election Code against Padilla and Balmores before the Malabon Prosecutor’s Office. The suspects were each given a P200,000 bail for their temporary liberty.