2 NBI doctors face dismissal for extortion

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal of two National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) medico-legal doctors who were caught extorting money from a private doctor six years ago.

In exchange for an autopsy report that will supposedly clear her of any liability in the death of a patient, chief medico-legal officer Maximo Reyes and NBI-Dagupan District Office medico-legal officer Anthony Bernal Castro allegedly asked for P200,000 from complainant Dr. Lenette Chan.

The victim said the incident stemmed from the case of a patient named Alma Mones Victoria, on whom she performed a caesarian section in March 2003.

Days after the operation, the patient died and the husband filed charges of medical malpractice and reckless imprudence resulting in homicide against Chan before the NBI-Dagupan District Office.

Castro allegedly conducted an autopsy and afterwards stated that the cause of Victoria’s death was post-surgical anemia.

Chan claimed the NBI summoned her and Castro demanded money in exchange for an autopsy report that would point to myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism and sepsis as the patient’s cause of death.

The victim said she sought the help of then NBI director Reynaldo Wycoco, who ordered an operation to entrap Reyes and Castro.   – Michael Punongbayan