Legarda mulls inquiry vs Lingam, Yoni

CEBU, Philippines - The controversial Lingam and Yoni massages in Cebu may soon become subjects of a Senate inquiry after it has caught the attention of one of the women Senators in the country.

Senator Loren Legarda was surprised to learn about the proliferation of lingam massage in Cebu and vowed to seek an inquiry into the matter especially after she was informed by the members of the media that this was being used as front for prostitution.

She was even more surprised to learn that on top of lingam for male, there is also yoni massage for female, wherein the masseur massages the female sexual organ.

“Frankly, I have no idea what is lingam massage. I will inquire into this matter with my fellow lawmakers and see what we can do to ban it,” Legarda said.

The media asked Legarda’s reaction on the proliferation of this type of massage in Cebu being the chairperson of the committee on foreign relations that earlier conducted legislative hearings on human trafficking.

One of the different forms of trafficking is sex trafficking wherein establishments may operate under the guise of a massage parlor, among others.

Lingam massage involved not just the massage of the male’s sexual organ but also include the testicles, perineum and prostate gland. According to a website, orgasm is not the goal of the said massage although it is often a pleasant and welcome side effect.

“This new innovation of massage (Lingam Massage) could lead to abuse and prostitution then it should be banned because it is deemed illegal. This should not be commercialized,” Legarda said.

Yoni (Yo-nee) is the Sanskrit word for the vagina.

The local government units of the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu have been raiding massage parlors offering Lingam and Yoni massage. In Cebu City, however, Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said they welcome lingam massage operators to operate here. 

The Philippines has been recognized as a source, transit, and destination country for human trafficking and that officials from the Department of Foreign Relations, Bureau of Immigration and the National Bureau of Investigation will be invited to testify in the Senate to update the committee on their efforts against suspected local and international human trafficking syndicates and the technical cooperation they are involved into with other countries, Legarda said.

“I intend to review the preventive and punitive actions our government law enforcement agencies are imposing with the end in view of recommending an increase in the penalty for the crime,” Legarda added.

The lady senator said that human trafficking of Filipinos for labor and sexual exploitation are predominant in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, South Africa, North America, and Europe.

“There is also the internal trafficking of women and children from rural areas, particularly the Visayas and Mindanao to urban areas, such as Metro Manila and Cebu, for sexual exploitation or forced labor as domestic workers, factory workers, or as participants in the drug trade. This social malaise will also be discussed by the committee,” she said.   (FREEMAN NEWS)