A man was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for allegedly selling medical abortion pills in Pasay City.
NBI director Jaime Santiago said the arrest of the suspect — identified as Jonathan Fabia Abetria — was part of an intensified campaign against the unlawful sale of abortion pills.
The operation was initiated after a confidential informant tipped off authorities about a clandestine drug business operated by a man identified as Abetria, who was allegedly dispensing abortion pills and other abortive medications.
According to the NBI, Abetria was operating without a Certificate of Registration, a Professional Regulation Commission license or a License to Operate from the Food and Drug Administration.
Posing as customers, NBI agents ordered a set of abortive pills for P28,000 and another drug for P8,000. The agents were also offered what was described as a “rape drug” for P4,500 per piece through a customer service channel.
On Wednesday, an undercover agent arranged for a delivery and was instructed to pay half of the total amount online, with the remaining balance due upon delivery. With the cooperation of the delivery service, Abetria was arrested inside a small warehouse in Pasay City after he received marked money from the agent.
Authorities seized a significant quantity of illegal medications from the warehouse. Abetria was subsequently presented for inquest proceedings for violations of the FDA Law, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, the Philippine Pharmacy Act and the Consumers Act of 1991.
Santiago urged the public to only buy medicines from registered and accredited pharmacies to protect themselves from potential health risks.