Ex-member of Army special forces nabbed over abortion allegations

MANILA, Philippines – A former member of the Philippine Army Special Forces was arrested for allegedly being an abortionist in Bataan, said police chief Friday.

In a joint operation by the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch (PIDMB), Pilar Municipal Police Station (PMPS), Criminal Investigation and Detection Team (CIDT) and Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB), the alleged abortionist was identified as Mario Dulay Opiana who was arrested in his house in Cadre Barangay (village) Camacho Balanga Bataan, said Senior Superintendent Arnold Gunnacao.

Police Superintendent Allan Macapagal led the operation on Opiana’s house where they also seized 10 tablets of Cytotec, 10 125 milligrams of Methylergometrine and 180 pieces of 500 milligrams of Amoxicillin, Gunnacao added.

Meanwhile, Evangeline Fernandez, 65, was also arrested in her residence at Sitio (sub-village)Tabon Barangay Rizal, Pilar Bataan at around 12 noon for possession of 10 tablets of Cytotec and different abortive tablets.

Paraphernalia used for abortion were also seized from Fernandez’s house, Gunnacao said.