Massage parlor in Cavite raided for allegedly offering ‘extra service’

Police  raided a massage parlor in Bacoor, Cavite for allegedly offering "extra service," according to a report by Emil Sumangil on GMA News' 24 Oras on Thursday.

Authorities apprehended the cashier and roomboy of the Kingtop Massage Parlor as well as its two customers.  Eight massage therapists were rescued in the operation and are being assisted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

"Mayroon itong permit, pero ang permit nito ay purely massage lang talaga. So nung nagkaroon tayo ng validation nito, it turned out na sa likod pala nito ay meron silang extra services," Police Lieutenant Colonel Vic Cabatingan, chief of Bacoor Police, said.

"Talagang naging prostitution den na ang lugar na ito," he added.

Kingtop contained an "aquarium" with a wall window wherein customers from the outside can look and choose from the massage therapists inside. Once the number has been received, the therapist will leave the "aquarium" and enter the chosen room.

"Mostly dahilan nila is kahirapan kaya sila na involve sa ganitong trabaho, problema sa pamilya, suporta sa anak nila dahil mga kalimitan sa nakausap ko is single mother, so walang ka partner para suportahan ang anak na nag aaral," social welfare officer Crispina Maravilla Castillo said.

According to authorities, the "extra service" costs P1,000.

The parlor's management and its owner will be charged with the Expanded Anti-trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.

The massage therapists denied the allegations.

"Nagmamasahe lang po kami dito [...] Hindi po, masahe lang po dito sir," a therapist said. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News