Manila cops raid night spots; 37 girls nabbed

Elements of the Western Police District under the Manila City Hall Special Operations Group raided two nightclubs in Sta. Cruz and Quiapo early yesterday morning and rounded-up 37 women for allegedly dancing in the nude and for working without permits.

Chief Inspector Arturo Paglinawan, SOG deputy chief, said raided were the Stage Coach Club in Ronquilo Street, in Sta. Cruz and the D’ Universe Restaurant along Quezon Boulevard in Quiapo following reports that indecent shows were blatantly being performed there.

First to be raided at about midnight was the Stage Coach Club where three women in their mid-20s were arrested after they were caught dancing in the nude before mostly male customers by undercover police agents.

Also rounded-up during the raid were 16 guest relations officers (GROs), also in their 20s, for failure to present the required working permits.

An hour later, WPD-SOG elements swooped down on the D’ Universe Restaurant near the Isetann Shopping Mall and arrested three women, also in their mid-20s, for allegedly dancing in the nude.

Raiders also nabbed 15 GROs, also in their mid-20s, also for failing to present working permits.

Those who were caught dancing in the nude, the managers of the raided clubs, and the arrested GROs were charged yesterday before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office for presenting lewd shows and for working without permits, Paglinawan said.

Manila police officials vowed to intensify their operations against prostitution and night spots in the city which continue to defy City Hall by presenting so-called indecent and lewd shows. – Mike Frialde