OPERATIVES of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested a fake dentist in an entrapment operation in Quezon City last Tuesday afternoon.
CIDG Director Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee named the suspect as Ramiro Gando Salonga, alias Jojo, who is now facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9484 or the Philippine Dental Act of 2007.
“The arrested suspect was identified as a member of a newly-identified criminal group named Jojo Hernaez Group, which is engaged in practicing illegal dentistry, particularly in the area of Quezon City and nearby cities,” said Lee.
“Jojo Salonga had been engaged in the illegal practice of dentistry by making cheap orthodontic false teeth and braces since 2004 and had no license to operate,” added Lee.
Before the operation, the CIDG said they received information and a complaint from the Philippine Dental Association (PDA) that Salonga was doing dental home service and illegally practicing dentistry at his residence in Barangay Bagbag, Novaliches, Quezon City.
PDA President Cheryl Del Rosario also issued a certification showing Salonga is not in the official records of membership of the PDA and is not allowed to practice dentistry.
The CIDG promptly planned an entrapment operation, together with a representative of the PDA-Manila Chapter.
A policeman posed as a patient and was able to purchase an orthodontic false teeth for only P700, leading to Salonga’s arrest in Franco Street, Barangay Bagbag at around 1:30 p.m.
“After the suspect received the dusted money and was about to perform a dental procedure on a police poseur patient, the operatives rushed to the scene to assist the poseur patient and arrest the suspect,” the CIDG said.
The CIDG said Salonga failed to produce a license from the Professional Regulation Commission to show he is allowed to practice dentistry.
