Chan won’t close bar tagged in prostitution

CEBU, Philippines — Saying he does not want to be accused of harassment, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan is not issuing a closure order against a karaoke bar recently raided by the National Bureau of Investigation for allegedly being used as prostitution den.

Chan said he will wait for the result of the investigation conducted by the NBI to avoid sending a wrong signal to the business community and potential investors of the city.

"Depende pa na sa findings sa NBI kay sila man ang nag-conduct sa investigation magpaabot lang sa ko. We will see kung angay ba mo issue ko og closure order or di," Chan said.

He explained that a closure order will be issued only when there is legal basis.

"Lisud na og pamasanginlan ta og harassment kay we are promoting our city as business friendly and investor friendly. So, kung mo issue ko og closure order dapat with enough basis," Chan said.

But the mayor said he will ask the City Council to pass an ordinance requiring all foreign nationals working in the city to secure a working permit from the local government.

By requiring foreign nationals to secure a permit, the city government would know the nature of the job of the foreigners in the city.

"I will ask the City Council next week to pass an ordinance nga e-require gyud ang tanang foreigners nga mo trabaho diri sa Lapu-Lapu nga molukat gyud og working permit aron ta makahibalo kinsa ni sila ug unsa ilang trabaho diri," Chan told The Freeman.

Agents from the NBI raided a KTV bar in Lapu-Lapu City last Monday and rescued 34 Chinese women working as high-class prostitutes. The NBI also arrested four Chinese nationals allegedly responsible for recruiting the women from China.

According to the NBI, the women were promised a job in Philippine Online Gaming Operation but ended up as prostitutes. The suspects who were identified as Zeng Dan, 27; Quan Yiqing, 26; Xiuzhu Weu, 44; and Xiushen Wei, 45, are already facing criminal complaint for violation of the Republic Act 9208 otherwise known as the Anti-Trafficking of Persons Act.—  FPL (FREEMAN)