After agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested nine vendors allegedly selling tablets that were allegedly being “misused” by individuals in abortion near a church in Quiapo, Manila last month, a priest expressed alarm that a syndicate was probably behind the rampant selling of the drug.

Msgr. Jose Ignacio Clemente of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, popularly known as “Quiapo Church”, called on the authorities to help crush the syndicate suspected to be behind the selling of Cytotec tablets.

He said selling of herbal medicines in the vicinity of the Quiapo Church is probably being used only as a front to sell Cytotec. Apart from the fact that abortion is a sin, the priest also said abortion is dangerous to the health of the mother.

However, the priest was aware that there is no specific law to go after those engaged in selling medicines that can cause abortion.

Monitoring in the Quiapo area against the rampant sale of Cytotec is continuing, according to NBI Deputy Director for Intelligence Services lawyer Ruel Lasala.

He identified two of the arrested vendors as Lourdes Torres and Nora Perfecto during successive raids last July 29. The vendors said they were not aware that Cytotec is being used in abortion.

“Six Cytotec tablets are being sold at P1,000. This is harmful and causes birth defects to a child pag hindi natuloy ang paglalag ng bata,” said Dr. Nazarita Tacandong, BFAD Director.