Joel Mendez, celebrity cosmetic surgeon, arrested in Cagayan de Oro

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY——Law enforcers have arrested Dr. Joel Mendez, a celebrity cosmetic surgeon, for a string of sex cases, the regional police said on Tuesday (Sept. 15).

Brig. Gen. Rolando Anduyan, northern Mindanao police chief, said Mendez was arrested in a mall here on Sunday (Sept. 13).

The 60-year-old doctor, who owns the Skinology Spa and Wellness Center, has a standing warrant of arrest after he was convicted of attempted rape and two counts of rape through sexual assault, said Anduyan.

The cases are docketed under criminal cases MC16-4800/4801 and 4802-FC, with no bail recommended.

The arrest warrant was issued by Judge Joanne Hernandez-Lazo, of Regional Trial Court Branch 5-FC in Mandaluyong City, on Feb. 4, 2020.

Police said Mendez is a resident of the village of Talipapa in Novaliches, Quezon City.

Mendez is currently detained at a police cell in the city while awaiting transfer to Metro Manila to be presented to the Mandaluyong City court.

Mendez had been previously arrested for attempted rape and two counts of rape on July 12, 2018 in Mandaluyong City, but was granted bail.

Mendez allegedly molested in 2015 inside his clinic a 17-year-old girl who modeled for the Mendez Medical Group.

Mendez was convicted of tax evasion in 2016 and was again on the spotlight for his alleged failure to remit employees’ social security contributions.

“We will never stop until all wanted people are arrested and put behind bars since it is our mandate to enforce the law, ensure the safety of other people that may be possible victims if they will not be arrested, and give justice to the victims,” Anduyan said.

TSB