13 GROs nabbed

Thirteen guest relations officers (GROs) were arrested during a police raid Tuesday night on a beerhouse owned by an opposition councilor in Mandaluyong City.

Superintendent Sukarno Ikbala, Mandaluyong city police chief, said his men raided the Panda Garden Night/Day Club at the corner of EDSA and Shaw Boulevard at about 10:30 p.m. amid reports that its women workers were working without proper permits.

Councilor Avelino Beado claimed his employees were armed with necessary permits, except those newly-hired who were arrested by the police.

Beado said there are people who are "mad" at him who pressured the police to conduct the raid. He denied that the arrested GROs were dancing in the nude when police arrived and announced the raid.

But Ikbala said the raid was ordered by Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos Jr. – Non Alquitran