Cops padlock Sta. Cruz massage parlor

MANILA, Philippines - Police and city hall officials padlocked yesterday a suspected prostitution den fronting as a massage and health fitness club in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

The closure notice at the Premier Health Fitness located at the sixth and seventh floors of the Pharaoh Hotel at the corner of T. Mapua and Espeleta streets in Sta. Cruz was an offshoot of the rescue of 18 female workers, including three minors, last week, according to Meisic police station chief Superintendent Nelson Yabut. “There are reports that the massage parlor has been recruiting female workers from the provinces and luring them to prostitution,” Yabut said.

Three female workers were found to be minors through their dentures following examination conducted by the Manila Dental Health Office, Yabut said.

“We have yet to verify the other girls’ birth certificates since they could have submitted fake records,” Yabut said.

Police said they had talked to Clemente Sy, the alleged owner of the massage parlor who denied knowledge of the alleged prostitution activities going on inside his place.

Sy reportedly told police that he prohibits sex inside the cubicles among his female workers, but “the girls could have engaged in sex with their partners for an added fee.”

The girls were brought to the Department of Social Worker and Development for custody and counseling.