9 Valenzuela bar girls held

Elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Northern Field Office arrested at least nine bar girls during a raid on a suspected prostitution den before dawn yesterday in Valenzuela City.

Superintendent Gene Ines Abrajano, CIDG-NFO chief, identified the bar girls as Jasmin Cruz, 27, floor manager, Pamela Condez, 22, who was reportedly caught while dancing nude, Ruby Briones, 26, Beng Cobales, 26, Rubyrose Rivera, 18, Christine Guevarra, 23, Cherry Fernandez, 25, Karen Fernandez, 21, and Marife Velasco, 23, all guest relations officers (GROs).

They were employed by London Videoke 2000, a suspected front for prostitution, located at Maysan Road, Valenzuela City reportedly owned and maintained by a couple identified as Lucy and Bert Francisco.

The raid on London Videoke was conducted at about 1:30 a.m. yesterday by the CIDG-NFO team led by Senior Inspector Rogelio Javier, agents Joseph Ferrer, Rex Casinos and Jayvee Florendo, with Civilian Volunteers Against Crime (CVAC) men.

"We have been receiving reports that the establishment served as a front for prostitution," Abrajano said.

He added that nightclubs seldom let their dancers perform lewd shows on stage but they allow live shows inside the VIP rooms.

"Indecent shows are no longer performed on stage for obvious reasons. But inside a room anything could happen," Abrajano said. – Pete Laude