Massage parlor operator disputes trafficking raps

CEBU, Philippines – An owner of a massage parlor offering lingam massage in Mabolo, Cebu City, filed a motion to quash the information of a case filed against her claiming that there was no act of lasciviousness and forced labor in her massage parlor.

Honey Lou Mirafuentes-Yoo, 26, a resident of Peace Valley, Lahug, Cebu City, who was charged with violation of the Anti-Human Trafficking Law said that the facts charged against her do not constitute any offense.

Yoo said that there was no showing of the element of allegation of acts of sexual intercourse or lasciviousness and acts to constitute prostitution as per the allegations of the complainant.

She further said that their were neither allegations in the complaint-affidavit of acts constituting the element of forced labor, slavery and debt bondage as would justify the charge of human trafficking.

"There were no showing of any acts of extraction of work or services from any person by means of enticement, violence, intimidation or threats to constitute the elements of forced labor, slavery and debt bondage."

Yoo added that there was no prostitution and pornographic materials involved as what the complaint charged against her.

However, police claimed that pursuant to City Ordinance No. 1408, they inspected her massage parlor and found a masseuse massaging the genitals of a male customer. 

The Cebu Provincial Board earlier passed the ordinance banning lingam massage service in the province without further debates even in the absence of six PB members.

The ordinance authored by PB member Agnes Magpale prohibits lingam and yoni massage or similar massage services in any and all massage parlors/spas/clinics, hotels, motels, resorts, and other like establishments, including home service massage arrangement, within the jurisdiction of the Province of Cebu. (FREEMAN)