On May 23, 2025, at about 9:25 PM in Upper Calarian, Zamboanga City, operatives of the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 9 (RACU 9) conducted an entrapment operation that led to the arrest of a 17-year-old woman, alias “Jen,” for offering Do-It-Yourself (DIY) braces online.

The operation was initiated following the proactive cyber patrolling efforts of the RACU 9, during which they discovered the Facebook post of Jen offering DIY dental braces for Php1,500.00.

Investigations revealed that “Jen” had been engaged in the illegal practice for almost four years, initially operating in Jolo, Sulu, before recently moving her operations to Zamboanga City, where she was eventually apprehended. Further inquiries disclosed that she learned the procedure from her aunt, who was also involved in the same illicit activity.

“Jen,” a Child in Conflict with the Law (CICL), is facing charges for violation of Section 33 of RA No. 9484 (Philippine Dental Act of 2007), in relation to Section 6 of RA No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). Authorities noted that she acted with discernment in carrying out the offense, which supports the filing of criminal charges despite her being a minor.

The operation is in line with the directive of Police General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, Chief of the PNP, to strengthen cyber patrolling and take immediate legal action to ensure that cybercriminals do not have a place on social media platforms. Brigadier General Bernard R. Yang, Acting Director of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), commended the Team for the successful operation. “We urge everyone to be cautious when seeking professional services on the internet. Only trust licensed practitioners. If you encounter suspicious or unauthorized dental providers, report them immediately to the nearest ACG office so we can act swiftly to prevent further harm,” he said.