LAOAG CITY – A 48-year-old nurse suspected of performing abortions was arrested inside a clinic in Laoag City in an entrapment operation on Wednesday night.

The suspect was identified as Mary Jean Lagmay, from Batac City. She had been working as a resident nurse in the clinic for around 10 years already.

Lagmay was arrested after she was caught in the act by police operatives conducting abortion procedures on a pregnant police asset.

Operatives were able to confiscate and seize from the suspect medical tools and drugs believed to be used for abortion.

According to Chief of Police Superintendent Edwin Balles, there was a fetus found inside the Chapel of Candles of St. William’s Cathedral in Laoag City last November 10. This led them to conduct further investigation, leading to the discovery of the clinic performing abortions.

Lagmay strongly denied all the accusations.

“Hindi! Saan naman ako kukuha ng mga gamot!” she said.

(No! Where will I get the medicines?)

The owner of the clinic, Dr. Teresita Vigare, will also face appropriate charges.

Balles revealed that Vigare was also involved in the transaction about the illegal services.

“It’s highly probable, it’s highly possible kasi mismong clinic niya ‘yun at doon na rin siya nakatira sa taas nun. So, napaka-imposible na hindi niya alam ito at according na rin sa isang pinalakad natin na sinamahan nga ‘yung buntis na pulis natin is siya mismo ang kausap the other day with that offered service," Balles explained.

(It's her clinic and she lives in the upper floor of that clinic. It is very impossible that she doesn't know and according to one of those who accompanied our pregnant police officer, she herself was the one police was talking to the other day about that offered service.)

The ABS-CBN Ilocos News team went to Vigare’s residence to get her side but no one came out for an interview.