Camille P. Balagtas
People's TONIGHT
September 6, 2002
LEGARDA, ATIENZA JOIN FORCES VS. PROSTITUTION
KTV bars serving as prostitution dens under tight watch
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Senate Majority Leader Loren Legarda welcomed the invitation of
Manila Mayor Lito Atienza for them to work together in stamping
out prostitution in the city through the closure of KTV bars and
other establishments suspected of being involved in the
trafficking of women and children.
"We appreciate very much the good mayor's prompt response to
our call for the Manila police to investigate some KTV bars in
the city that are reportedly nothing more than mere fronts for
prostitution," said Senator Legarda.
"In fact, we are in the process of convincing people with
personal knowledge of this insidious trade to come out in the
open to help identify the establishments involved," she
added.
"We just have to assure witnesses that they would be amply
protected should they decide to testify."
"The mayor, who thanked Legarda for her efforts to protect
the women and the youth from exploitation, said that his
administration has always taken a firm stand against prostitution
and other similar lewd practices.
He added that he has standing orders to the Western Police
District to apply the full force of the law against the operators
of establishments being used as prostitution fronts so that city
officials could prosecute them.
"I would like to ask Mayor Atienza to do surprise visits on
these bars suspected of being engaged in the flesh trade so that
he could check for himself the veracity of the numerous reports
that are coming in," the lady solon said.
"This representation, in fact, would not mind joining the
mayor in checking out these establishments if only to underscore
that the fight against the exploitation of women and children is
a serious one," she added.
"I have gone to the lair of rebels and kidnappers to work
out the release of hostages, and I have not shirked from the
opportunity to come face to face with the scourge of our
society."
At the same time, Legarda called on Philippine National Police
(PNP) chief Hermogenes Ebdane to employ the vast resources of the
police not only to crack down on prostitution but also to effect
the arrest of rogue police officials and personnel who are
reportedly protecting the illegal activity.
She also called on the other Metro Manila mayors and National
Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Deputy Director
Reynaldo Velasco to investigate similar establishments in their
jurisdiction, including those in Quezon City and Pasay.
In her earlier call to Atienza, Legarda said reports reaching her
office claimed that even minors are being employed as guest
relation officers in most bars in question.
The bars are allegedly being financed by wealthy Chinese,
Japanese and Taiwanese natinals, who are able to go in and out of
the country with ease through their connection with the inept
Bureau of Immigration officials.
///camille p. balagtas