Alleged abortionist arrested in Caloocan

MANILA, Philippines – Police arrested an 84-year-old alleged abortionist during an operation Monday night in Caloocan City.

Superintendent Jose Valencia, Caloocan City police North Extension Office chief, identified the suspect as Catalina Jose, a resident of Bagong Silang in Caloocan City North. Valencia said that at around 7 a.m. Monday, Charito Sumabat, a resident of Camarin also in Caloocan City North, was seen by barangay tanods walking suspiciously in Bagong Silang. When checked, the tanods found out that Sumabat was carrying with her a newborn baby girl.

Asked where she got the baby, Sumabat told the tanods that the baby was given to her by the suspect after the unidentified woman who sought Jose’s services abandoned the baby after giving birth.

The barangay tanods coordinated with the police and a raid was conducted on Jose’s house that resulted in the alleged abortionist’s arrest at around 8:30 p.m. “We have learned from residents in the area that the suspect has reportedly been doing this illegal practice for a long time and had once been arrested by the authorities,” Valencia told The STAR.

Valencia said his men seized from Jose several forceps, used surgical gloves, catheters and other equipment the suspect used in her illegal practice.

The baby girl was turned over to the care of Regie Embalsado of the local Social Welfare department who brought her to the Jose Rodriguez Hospital for treatment.

Charges were filed against the suspect.