Authorities rescued 91 Chinese and four Filipino women last night from a suspected prostitution den masquerading as a karaoke bar on Yakal Street in Makati.
Romeo Astrero Jr. of the National Bureau of Investigation said that they were tipped off about alleged nefarious activities at Skytop International Club by a Chinese national, CNN Philippines reported. The bar was observed for a week until an undercover agent booked a prostitute through a mobile app. The raid was conducted after a successful booking was made.
“You need to book through a cell phone application,” Astrero said. “They will check if you made a booking, and only if that’s the case will you be allowed in. You can choose among several women — Chinese or Filipino.”
Each client had to pay at least PHP15,000 (US$280) for each prostitute. After which, the clients could bring the women to a hotel, Radyo Inquirer reported.
Filipinos were said to be barred from the bar without a Chinese companion. During the raid, several used condoms were allegedly found inside the washroom.
The bureau also arrested four Chinese nationals and four Filipinos accused of trafficking the victims, according to ABS-CBN News. They will be charged with violating Republic Act 10364, also known as the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.
The raid follows July’s rescue of 10 Chinese women from another suspected prostitution den in Laguna. The victims were recruited in China and were allegedly promised telemarketing jobs in the Philippines.
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