Massage parlor serves as front for prostitution?

CEBU, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation rescued eight masseuses working in an uptown massage parlor, allegedly used as prostitution den, during an entrapment operation Thursday night upon the request of Provincial Board member Victor Maambong.

The NBI operatives also took into custody Lourdes Omas-as, cashier of Stress Free Massage Parlor, and receptionist Maricar Cabrera including utility worker Nestor Abregana after they confirmed that the establishment is engaged in prostitution.

Special investigator Arnel Pura who led the operation said that the three were just invited for questioning to shed light on the operation of their massage parlor. Pura said that the three will be used as witnesses against the manager and owner of the establishment.

NBI regional director Medardo de Lemos said that they will be filing a criminal case for violation of Republic Act 9208 otherwise known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act against the owner Glen Lim and manager Emylyn Limosnero.

Lim and Limosnero were not around during the entrapment but some of the women rescued executed an affidavit saying that the management allowed them to perform “extra service” to their customers.

An NBI agent acted as customer at 8:30 the other night and paid P600 for the massage. While a masseuse was performing a massage on him, the latter allegedly intimated if he wanted extra service.

The masseuse reportedly focused her massage on his sensitive part calling it “Linggam” or “Indian Massage” as she convinced the undercover agent to go for extra service.

The agent said that the masseuse told him that the extra service would cost him P500 to P1,500 depending on the type of service. The agent agreed and gave the P1,500 marked money to the masseuse and signaled the rest of the NBI operatives who were pre-positioned at the area to effect the raid. — Fred P. Languido/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)