Jaeson Santos was about to get a massage at the Tree Shade Spa, in Cebu City, when he spotted an “emaciated” looking monkey sitting on the curb on a leash.
“Has anyone been here since they came off of being on strike?” he said in his Facebook post, referencing a recent work stoppage by staff at the spa.
“There’s this emaciated monkey who’s on a leash, outside directly in the sun just sitting there looking really really sad,” he said.
The post was made on Sunday, at about 1:22 pm.
“He also probably lost all of his hair due to stress and malnutrition. Couldn’t even pick up his head to notice us. I walked in and after seeing this, walked out and canceled my appointment. I can’t support a business who treats animals this way,” Santos said on his post.
Tree Shade Spa is a popular massage spot in a busy area of Cebu City.
According to a staff member who asked not to be named, the monkey is not “malnourished.” The staff member said in Cebuano, “they had to trim the hair because of fleas. And he’s just moody. If he doesn’t like the person, he simply won’t acknowledge them.”
Santos told Coconuts Manila in a Facebook message: “No human was watching the monkey. He was tied to a post out back and alone.”
Tree Shade Spa posted a statement regarding the monkey on their Facebook page following Santos’ post, which has been shared over 300 times.
“At the onset, the Management of Tree Shade Spa doesn’t tolerate nor aid in any form of violence or cruelty perpetrated to animals,” the post read.
While the Spa’s management said they would “investigate the incident,” they would neither confirm nor deny if the monkey belonged to the spa or any of its staff members.
Coconuts reached out to Tree Shade for comment, but has not received a response yet.
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said in a Facebook post at about 4pm, “DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) went to the location this morning. If it is determined that the monkey belongs to them, charges will be filed. If a customer is determined to be the owner, charges will be filed.”
Animal cruelty is a federal crime in the Philippines. Violators convicted of animal cruelty can face fines between PHP 1,000 (US$20) to PHP 5,000 (US$100) and six months up to two years in prison.
