Suspected abortionist caught in Quiapo

MANILA, Philippines -  A woman suspected of being an abortionist was arrested by Manila police officers in Quiapo Saturday, an official said yesterday.

Maila Castro was reportedly caught in the act of performing an abortion on a bank employee, who was two months pregnant, at around 4 p.m. in her clinic on Basan street.

She was arrested by a team led by Inspector Joselito Von Possel while the patient, whose identity was withheld, was brought to the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center.

Police said Castro faces charges of violating Article 256 of the Revised Penal Code (intentional abortion) while her patient may be charged with violating Article 258 of the RPC for consenting to the abortion.

Possel said they had been keeping an eye on the area after receiving reports that abortions were being performed there.