Police raided another establishment suspected of involvement in a prostitution racket in Makati City.
The authorities also rescued 13 women in the latest anti-vice operation conducted early Tuesday morning at SPA Osaka on 5353 Gen. Luna corner Mariano Street in Barangay Poblacion.
Based on the spot report released by the Southern Police District, one of the police operatives acted as a customer at the establishment and gave P3,000 to a therapist in exchange for sexual favors.
“After giving the pre-charge signal, police operatives rushed inside ro om 3 of the said spa and they caught in the act the said therapist about to do ‘extra service’ with the police asset,” the police report stated. “Several sex pharaphernalia were recovered inside the show room of the spa.”
Makati City police commander Rogelio Simon said they noticed a menu posted on the wall of the spa showing the women were being paid from P2,000 to P4,000 for their “services.”
“The price depends on what kind of services the customers want,” he said.
Simon said there is an ongoing investigation if the establishment caters to foreigners, especially Chinese nationals working at Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGO).
On orders of Mayor Abigail Binay, the Makati City police is conducting a series of coordinated raids targeting syndicates engaged in prostitution and other vices at multiple locations, including condominiums, hotels, massage parlors and residential units.
The police said they will continue to work with the community on information related to vice activities, and will take tough enforcement action against those involved.
Mayor Binay earlier directed the city’s Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) to shut down establishments and entertainment spots in the city that engage in prostitution, whether direct or via the internet.
“There is no room for prostitution in Makati. We will hunt down prostitution dens, karaoke bars, spas, condominiums, and even computer shops that exploit young men and women in the sex trade. We will shut down your operations and make sure that you are unable to do business in Makati. I will say this again, illegal activities are not welcome here,” the city chief executive said.
Three months ago, Mayor Binay also declared an indefinite moratorium on the issuance of new business licenses and permits to service providers of POGO due to rising criminality and prostitution.
She cited the “overheating” market for residential and commercial space and the rising criminality and prostitution as major reasons for her decision to stop more POGOs from operating in the country’s financial district.
The influx of thousands of foreign workers employed by POGOs increases the demand for housing and work stations, thus causing property rates in the city to spike. This puts the local property sector at risk of overheating, where its growth becomes unsustainable, said Binay.