A 56-year-old member of the LGBTQIA+ community was arrested in an entrapment by operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation-Central Visayas Regional Office (NBI-CEVRO).

Roel Bacus, who also goes by the monikers “Key Last” and “Mommy Debs,” has pretended to be a cosmetic surgeon.

The entrapment was conducted based on the complaints of three transgender women who sought the assistance of NBI after failed hip augmentation procedures.

The complainants would want to determine the substances used by Bacus on them for further medical assessment and management.

The entrapment operation was carried out in a hotel in Cebu City on December 10, 2024.

It was learned that the fake doctor conducted his services in hotels, which NBI-CEVRO Director, Atty. Renan Augustus Oliva, said is already a “red flag.”

The suspect was taken into NBI custody. He kept mum despite prodding from the complainants that he reveals the chemicals he injected on them.

Alias “Cattleya,” 33 years old, said she just wants to have the chemicals identified to be able to receive proper assessment and treatment.

Cattleya said she suffered from infection after she sought injection to improve aesthetically her hips. The infection spread to her thighs, she said.

Cattleya availed of the surgical procedure on October 2, 2024. After a few days, she went back for a second session. She said she paid P20,000 for the procedure.

With the help of her family, Cattleya went through a medical operation to remove pus and treat the infection.

One of the other two complainants is alias “Nan Agustin,” 23 years old, and Cattleya’s best friend.

Nan said she suffered from infection as well, similar to Cattleya's predicament. 

According to Atty. Oliva, they verified with the Professional Regulation Commission that confirmed Bacus has no license to practice medicine.

During the entrapment operation, one of the victims posed to avail another round of injection for hip augmentation.

Oliva added that the bogus doctor has been into medical malpractice for four years.

It was further learned that the suspect worked as an assistant to a licensed cosmetic surgeon. He was dismissed for illegal transactions done outside of the clinic where he was working.

Cases for illegal practice of medicine and estafa are filed against the suspect.  

When GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak sought a comment from the suspect inside the NBI custodial facility, he refused to answer.