A married couple posing as dentists in Sablan, Benguet, were uncovered as notorious scammers hiding from the law.

 The Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) Baguio City Field Unit (CFU) arrested the duo during an entrapment operation on August 2, 2024, exposing not only their illegal dental practice but also much larger criminal activity.

The Philippine Dental Association of Baguio City and Benguet Chapter had long suspected Jun Jun  and Catherine Banal of being fake dentists.

 When they failed to produce valid dental licenses, the CIDG seized assorted dental equipment from their three-story residence.

The couple now faces charges under Republic Act 9484, the Philippine Dental Act of 2007.

The authorities, in coordination with the PNP-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), revealed the true identities of the culprits who victimized one-hundred-forty-nine individuals through “Assumed Balance-Sangla” car rental scam, deceiving car owners by assuming vehicle mortgage balances, then pawning or selling the vehicles with counterfeit documents.

Their fraudulent schemes amassed a staggering P300,000,000.00.

Several charges have been filed against the BANAL couple before the Angeles City Regional Trial Court branches 56 and 62, as well as the Mabalacat City Municipal Trial Court.

 These charges include large-scale swindling, estafa, carnapping, and violations of the Bouncing Checks Law.

Their web of deceit prompted action from multiple law enforcement bodies.

The PNP-HPG, through Case Operation “ARES-ID PARAM,” supported by PAOCC, had been on their trail.

The Banal’s had evaded capture by changing their names and moving to Sablan.

However, their luck ran out when the CIDG Baguio CFU arrested them for illegal dental services.

Following this, the HPG Intelligence Division swiftly acted, and on August 5, 2024, alongside the Regional Highway Patrol Unit Cordillera Administrative Region, served the outstanding warrants.

According to USEC Gilberto Cruz, the PNP-HPG, PNP-CIDG, and PAOCC remain dedicated to seeking justice for any additional victims of the couple’s extensive fraudulent activities.

“Ang PNP-HPG, PNP-CIDG, at PAOCC ay nananatiling tapat sa paghahanap ng katarungan para sa iba pang mga biktima ng malawakang pang-scam at panloloko ng naturang mag-asawa. Patuloy na susuportahan ng PAOCC ang PNP sa kanilang mga operasyon upang sugpuin ang mga sindikato at tuldukan ang organized crime sa bansa,” Usec Cruz said. (From PAOCC page)