Cops nab dental clinic attacker's henchman

MANILA, Philippines - A man who confessed to being one of two men who robbed and molested female dentists in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces is in police custody, sources said yesterday.

An insider at the National Capital Region Police Office identified the suspect as “Ronald,” a henchman of the dental clinic attacker who is the subject of a manhunt by the NCRPO’s regional police intelligence and special operations unit (RPIOU).

NCRPO chief Director Alan Purisima refused to comment on Ronald’s arrest, but a source claimed RPIOU agents arrested him last week in Central Luzon.

During tactical interrogation by Senior Superintendent Conrad Capa, NCRPO’s intelligence chief, Ronald admitted taking part in molesting and robbing at least two dentists in Caloocan City.

He led Capa’s men to the principal suspect’s safehouses in Pampanga, Quezon City and Las Piñas but NCRPO operatives learned that he recently abandoned them.

“The principal suspect in the sexual attacks and robberies against dentists is on the run. We have his subaltern which is very cooperative in our effort to neutralize his companion,” the source said. “Just give us some more time and we will have the main suspect arrested and jailed.”

The source said Ronald has a tattoo on his thigh, which was among the features described by the victims to police investigators. One of the victims has already identified Ronald as one of her attackers, the source said.

The NCRPO recorded at least 22 sexual attacks and robberies staged by the suspects in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces since August last year.

The suspects choose a dental clinic in a secluded location, then ask to have their teeth filled or cleaned. While the dentist and her assistant are busy preparing the equipment needed for the procedure, the suspects take out a handgun and announce the heist.

They would then hogtie their victims using plastic string or masking tape before molesting them. The suspects then leave, taking their victims’ laptops, cellular phones, money and other valuables.

Because of the rising cases of attacks on dentists, the Philippine Dental Association put up a P500,000 reward for information leading to the arrests of the attackers.