Lingayen prostitution fronts get a taste of `spray-painting' drive

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan - On Lingayen Beach, people are warned to avoid six cottages on which are painted in bold, red letters: "Off Limits Prostitution Den."

During a raid last Saturday, police caught a 17-year-old girl having sex with a customer in one of the cottages. All six cottages are said to be fronts for prostitution.

The "spray-painting" of the suspected prostitution dens is the local version of Interior and Local Government Secretary Alfredo Lim's campaign against suspected drug pushers in Manila.

"It is not good to hear that prostitution dens are located right behind Urduja House, the governor's official residence," said Senior Superintendent Joel Goltiao, provincial police director.

Goltiao started painting the warnings on the cottages after receiving many complaints that Lingayen Beach, which is a prime tourist spot, has become a haven of prostitutes.

"Parents are also complaining that their children are cutting classes to go on dates with their boyfriends or girlfriends in the cottages," he said.

Goltiao said the campaign was launched in Lingayen because it is the capital of Pangasinan.

He said the girl caught in one of the cottages is now in the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Goltiao based his action on Republic Act 7610 which provides for stronger deterrence and special protection against child abuse, exploitation and discrimination, and RA 7658, which prohibits the employment of children below 15 years old in a public or private undertaking.

Goltiao said the cottages will be padlocked for less than a year and that the municipality will revoke the licenses granted to their operators.

During the celebration of the Lingayen Gulf landings in 1992, police dismantled the cottages. Later, the cottages were set up again after their operators got permits from the municipality.

Police will monitor the other cottages on the beach, Goltiao said.