Motels told to monitor minors who check in

CEBU, Philippines - The Women’s and Children’s Protection Desk groups in Lapu-Lapu City are reminding the management of motels, inns, apartelles and pension houses to monitor persons who are checking in today as some of them could be minors.

Senior Inspector Judith Besas of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office said they are inspecting interior and small establishments for preventive measures.

The operation started yesterday afternoon. Though they have not received any command from the higher office, Besas said it was the department’s initiative to conduct the assessment.

Besas said the initiative aims to apprehend sex tourists who exploit minors.

Aside from these “sex tourists” in the city and other neighboring towns, Besas said local tourists are not an exemption because they might be also involved in trafficking issues.

Besas told business establishment owners to identifying the age gap of the customers or “suspicious-looking” clients. Once they have confirmed that a customer is minor, they can then report to the police for assistance.

WCPD groups of the five police stations in Lapu-Lapu City were deployed to assessment of different establishments yesterday.

Five small accommodation establishments were checked yesterday, according to Besas, and the inspection will continue until this evening.

She said if uncertain things happen to minors accompanied by adults in their establishments, the management or staff will be held accountable for the incident. — Christell Fatima M. Tudtud (FREEMAN)