Manila
mayor padlocks reflexology center over prostitution rap
MANILA, Philippines — An establishment found to be engaged in “male prostitution under the guise of a reflexology center" in Manila’s Sta. Mesa district was ordered closed on Thursday by Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim.
A team from the Mayor’s Complaint and Action Team (MCAT) headed by retired Col. Franklin Gacutan earlier raided the Blue Palm Reflexology located on Bagumbayan Street in Bacood, Sta. Mesa and arrested nine male “reflexologists" for working without the required permits.
Gacutan’s team, which included representatives of the Business Promotion and Development Office, reportedly found pornographic reading materials, boxes of unused condoms, and used ones in trash bins, bolstering tipped information that the establishment was indeed being used for prostitution.
Prior to the operation, Gacutan said Lim’s office received an e-mailed complaint regarding the illicit activities taking place in the supposed reflexology center, with male`therapists’ allegedly offering “extra services to their clients, both male and female."
According to Gacutan, the `reflexology center had been the subject of complaints by concerned parents because it is located in the heart of a thickly populated residential area.
The owner of the said establishment, who is said to be in hiding, will be charged appropriately, Gacutan added.
- GMANews.TV July 10, 2008
Woman arrested in Manila for gypping 2 would-be OFWs
07/29/2008 | 04:04 PM
MANILA, Philippines — A 32-year-old woman was arrested on Monday for allegedly gypping two would-be overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) of over P132,500 for non-existent jobs abroad, police said on Tuesday.
Police said the suspect, Annie Lou Palo, of 2 Orillano St., Lower Bicutan, Taguig City, was cornered during an operation at Room 302 of Tiaoqui Building in Plaza Sta. Cruz, Manila.
Senior Police Officer 3 Ricardo G, Magbanua, of the Manila police’s Mayor’s Special Action Team (MSAT), said the arrest stemmed from complaints filed by Sheryl Sante, 30, of Bigatan village in Tanza, Cavite and Leonardo Cabanela Jr, 27, a seaman from Bagong Silang in Cutod, Angeles City.
Sante alleged that she and her husband paid P60,000 cash to the suspect as placement and processing fees while Cabanela claimed that he was duped of P72,500.
The two sought the help of MSAT personnel led by Abet Villanueva.
Sante claimed that her husband, Dexter, was recruited by the suspect as a fisherman. They paid P67,000 to the HJL Management Services on November 25, 2007 but only the amount of P37,000 was placed on a receipt.
Since Dexter left, he contacted his wife only once and failed to send her allotment. Sheryl failed to contact her husband, prompting her to seek help of retired police Supt. Franklin Gacutan, MCAT director.
A police report showed that the suspect has no permit for recruiting, manning and crewing of personnel abroad.
Authorities conducted an operation at the office of the suspect and arrested her on Monday afternoon.
Another complainant, Cabanela, filed a complaint against the suspect and claimed that he was recruited as seaman of the HJL Management Services with office at Room 302 Tiaoqui Building, Plaza Sta. Cruz, Manila.
On May 20, 2008, he paid P70,000 to the suspect who promised him that he would be deployed for employment in Malaysia.
The suspect failed to deploy him for employment and he went frequently to the office to follow-up his employment.
On July 28, 2008, Cabanela went to the office to follow-up his employment and found out that the suspect was being arrested at the time. He then filed also a complaint against the suspect.
The complainants even presented official receipts and a certification from Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). The suspect was inquested for illegal recruitment.
On the other hand, the Manila City Hall represented by Benigno Bagabaldo of the Bureau of Permit also filed charges for operating business without permit against the suspect. -
GMANews.TV
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