Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao Trinidad has ordered the local police to shut down a sauna bath and massage parlor that is allegedly a front for prostitution.
Trinidad said the closure order against the Magellan Health Club and Sauna Bath along Gil Puyat Ave. was served last Wednesday after the establishment was placed under surveillance by city hall operatives.
“We have been receiving complaints from residents living in the area as well as from concerned citizens about the questionable activities inside the establishment. This prompted us to immediately place the Magellan Health Club under investigation,” Trinidad said.
He stressed that the closure of Magellan Health Club should serve as a warning to all other owners of establishments that are engaged in prostitution to refrain from conducting illegal activities or face sanctions. “Aside from intensifying the city government’s campaign against criminality, we would want the city cleaned up by getting rid of businesses that degrade women,” Trinidad said.
He said that three other establishments reportedly engaged in prostitution were also placed under surveillance by the police.
Members of the City Hall Police Detachment raided the Magellan Health Club and Sauna Bath and served the closure order for violation of Article 202 of the Revised Penal Code otherwise known as the Anti-Prostitution Law. The city’s Business Permit and Licensing Office had earlier recommended the closure of the massage parlor. – Rhodina Villanueva