Priest says syndicate behind rampant sale of ‘cytotec’ in Quiapo

A big-time syndicate could be behind the rampant sale of “abortion pills,” known as cytotec, in the Quiapo area, according to a high ranking priest who urged authorities yesterday to bust the group.

The statement was made by Msgr. Jose Ignacio Clemente of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, popularly known as the Quiapo Church, several days after nine vendors reportedly engaged in selling cytotec were arrested by operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation recently.

The priest disclosed vendors selling herbal medicines in Quiapo are also selling cytotec clandestinely.

Clemente reminded the public committing abortion is not only a mortal sin but it is dangerous to the health of both the mother and child.

The priest admitted he was aware there is no specific law prohibiting the sale of medicines in the Quiapo area which the syndicate also knows.

Authorities said they only used the pharmaceutical law and violators may be slapped with violation of provisions for misbranded or adulterated drugs.

Lawyer Ruel Lasala, deputy director for NBI Intelligence Service is in charge of monitoring the Quiapo area about the rampant sale of cytotec.

Earlier, NBI operatives had raided several stalls of the vendors near the vicinity of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene that resulted in the arrest of the nine vendors. –Pat C. Santos, Daily Tribune