Doctor-instructor nabbed for robbery/extortion

A medical doctor-instructor was nabbed and charged by operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in an entrapment operation on June 28 for robbery/extortion in a “grade-for-sale” scheme in return for passing grade in his class.

Mark Caceres, agent of the National Bureau of Investigation – Dagupan District Office (NBI-DADO) said Dr. Rhoderick Asuncion, 53, from Barangay Lucao in Dagupan City, was nabbed in a parking lot of a hospital in Barangay Tapuac in Dagupan after a complaint was filed against him, an instructor at the Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation (VMUF) in San Carlos City, for reportedly extorting money from his students with failing grades.

An Indian national, a medical student in Asuncion’s class in pediatrics, filed a complaint and alleged that she and fellow students that received failing grades were made to pay P35,000 supposedly for a remedial class to correct their failing grades and pass the subject.

Further investigation revealed some of the 90 students that were failed already paid Asuncion the demanded amount.

An entrapment was planned with the complainant who asked Asuncion if she could pay P25,000 initially, and he agreed.Upon receipt of the money placed in a white envelope containing two marked P1,000 bills and cut newspapers as boodle money, the operatives arrested and handcuffed Asuncion.

Caceres said Asuncion denied the allegation.

Caceres said after the arrest, other complainants have indicated willingness to file similar complaint.

Further probe into Asuncion’s profile reveals similar complaints were also lodged against him in 2019 by foreign students. Asuncion has been teaching for five years.

A complaint has been filed at the Prosecutor’s Office and Caceres said he expects more will be filed in the weeks ahead.

Caceres said a Nepalese student lodged a complaint earlier but the case could not be pursued because the investigator-on-case contracted COVID-19. (Eva Visperas/Ahikam Pasion)

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