Hontiveros urges probe of Clark leisure park over alleged prostitution ring

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday reiterated calls for authorities to investigate the alleged prostitution ring operating within Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

"Ang prostitusyon at trafficking ay mga krimen sa ilalim ng mga batas ng ating republika," Hontiveros told reporters in a virtual interview.

The chair of the Senate committee on women said the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and the Philippine National Police should conduct a full investigation on the liability of the resort after it was reported that seven Chinese men, six Chinese women, and two Vietnamese women were recently nabbed by police in its premises for alleged prostitution and human trafficking.

"Habang nahihirapan tayong mga Pilipino sa COVID-19 pandemic, may mga Chinese prostitution rings naman na patuloy pa rin ang operasyon. Hindi natin dapat hinahayaan na nagiging pugad tayo ng prostitusyon at iba pang krimen," she said in a separate statement.

"Fontana’s license to operate can be suspended and eventually revoked if there’s negligence on their part in making sure that crimes do not thrive within their premises," she added.

In May, an "underground" hospital for Chinese nationals infected with COVID-19 was raided by cops in the same resort.

The CDC said Fontana management is among those that will be held liable over the said illegal operation.

Hontiveros said should there be a Senate inquiry on the issue, those running the operations of the leisure hub will definitely be invited.

Meanwhile, the senator added that her committee's hearing on POGO-related prostitution, trafficking, and corruption within the Bureau of Immigration will continue.

Former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II who was allegedly linked in the BI's "pastillas scheme," and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, are among those that will be summoned in one last hearing before Hontiveros' panel wraps up to draft a committee report.

GMA News Online sought the official statement of Fontana regarding the matter but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.—LDF, GMA News