CIDG joins probe of attacks on dentists

MANILA, Philippines - The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has stepped into the investigation of the attacks on women dentists in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Superintendent Emma Libunao, head of the CIDG’s Women and Children Protection Group, said yesterday their parallel investigation will determine whether the crimes were done by a single individual or a group.

Libunao said her office will coordinate with other police units in Metro Manila and the provinces for statements of the victims and their companions to fasttrack their investigation of the cases.

What they have now, Libunao said, are sketches of the suspects and video footage of surveillance cameras of some clinics whose occupants were molested and robbed.

Earlier, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Superintendent Alan Purisima declared that there was only one suspect in the sexual attacks on the lady dentists, which alarmed the officers of the Philippine Dental Association (PDA).

According to reports reaching Purisima, the latest attack happened in a clinic in San Juan del Monte, Bulacan where two female dentists were robbed of four cellular phones, P10,400 and assorted jewelry.

Last April 14, three occupants of a clinic along Marcos Highway in Barangay San Roque in Marikina City lost P28,000, two cellular phones, and pieces of jewelry costing P112,000 to a robber.

On May 7, a dentist in Maries Village, Antipolo City was robbed of P4,500, two cellular phones, two earrings, two rings and a wedding ring.

Last May 26 and May 30, a robber barged into dental clinics in Ermita, Manila and Quezon City, respectively, and took P150,000 worth of money and personal belongings.

Purisima claimed they have a “good lead” on the attacker but no arrests have been made as of yesterday.