BY Fadley Faisal

A Filipino duo has pleaded guilty to charges of practicing dentistry without authorisation, while a dentist pleaded guilty to abetting the two in the Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

The dentist, Richard Henry Toyad, 61 had instigated employees Hilbert Versusa Orayle, 43, and Ron Lester Soriano San Juan, 30, to fit dental braces and provide braces treatment to patients without having authorisation from the Brunei Medical Board.

The defendants also conceded with the prosecution on similar multiple offences which have been taken into consideration by the court.

The offences occurred over 2019 and 2020 at I-Smile Dental Clinic in Berakas and Dr Toyad Dental Clinic in Seria.

Prosecutor Siti Khalilah Hussin revealed that complaints prompted a Brunei Medical Board investigation which unearthed that the two Filipino men were not registered dentists, but a dental assistant and therapist working under Dr Toyad at his two clinics.

An investigation was launched, followed by raids on the two clinics conducted by the Ministry of Health, the Royal Brunei Police Force and the Immigration and National Registration Department on November 4, 2020.

Senior Magistrate Azrimah Abdul Rahman fixed June 28 for sentencing, while considering a fitting punishment.

Before the court rose, the defendants’ lawyer Ahmad Basuni Abas sought for his clients’ existing bail to be extended.

The prosecution objected, saying that the trio pose flight risks, however the defence fought for further release saying that the defendants could have already fled if they so wanted, before being committed to the courts.

The court extended the defendants’ bail up until sentencing day.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin