MANILA, Nov. 12, 2011—Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Nicanor Bartolome has expressed support for the eradication of the Cytotec trade in the country during the PNP night at the Manila Overseas Press Club on November 9.
Bartolome said he is giving the task of heading the drive to eliminate the abortive drug trade to newly appointed Manila District Director Sr. Supt. Alex Gutierrez.
Cytotec, also known as Misoprostol, was originally intended for the treatment of gastric ulcers. Excessive and unnecessary use, however, may lead to uterine rupture; using it to induce labor which results in the fetus’s death and may prove fatal for the mother as well.
In 2000 the company Searle, manufacturer of Cytotec, released a letter warning against the use of Misoprostol in pregnant women. The letter likewise mentioned the abortifacient nature of the drug.
Meanwhile, Gutierrez made an assurance that he will act on the issue.
“Bagong upo pa lang po ako at kasama po natin ang Simbahan para labanan iyan. Gagawan po natin iyan ng paraan,” he said.
“Napag-alaman po natin na may mga foreigners na nagpapasok sa bansa ng Cytotec,” the new director added.
The notorious trade still proliferates despite arrests of vendors selling the abortion drug. (CBCP for Life)
