2 fake dentists sued

TWO persons arrested last month for practicing illegal dentistry in Davao City are now facing charges.

Charged with violation of the Republic Act 9484 or The Philippine Dental Act of 2007, are Lloyd Falcon Zuluaga and his wife Alma Lazaro Zuluaga, both residents of Poblacion District, Davao City.

Prosecutor Grace Lydda Lariego has found probable cause to charge the accused based on the complaint filed by Davao City Dental Chapter (DCDC) chairman Dr. Carlos T. Capitan II and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 11.

Lariego, in a two-page resolution dated November 6, found sufficient factual basis to charge the accused for violation of The Philippine Dental Act, which provides only professional and licensed dentist can do operation in one's oral cavity.

According to the complainants, the two accused were arrested in an entrapment operation on

October 26, Thursday, at 4 p.m. at their clinic in Barangay St. Jude 6-A along E. Quirino Avenue in Davao City, following reports on their practice.

Record showed that a member of the Anti-Scam Unit under the Office of the City Mayor posed as a patient and went to the clinic of the accused for oral cavity operation. Prior to the operation, a P500 will be used as the marked money.

The patient was initially received by Lloyd, who filled out a patient's card, while Alma performed the oral prophylaxis or tooth cleaning witnessed by Police Supt. Joyce Concepcion, who handed the money to Alma after the procedure.

After the accused received the money, NBI 11 operatives then went inside the clinic and arrested the couple. Recovered from the clinic of the accused were several dental equipment and supplies and the P500 marked money.

"It is evident that the two accused conniving with each other performed an act which is exclusive to one who is a licensed dentist," Lariego said, adding that the arrest of the two accused without a warrant is justified under the law.

Philippine Dental Association (PDA) Davao City Chapter president Dr. Pinky Ancog earlier said their association apprehended over 50 illegal dental practitioners since 2016, including the recent apprehension of the couple. ICT