By Erma Edera

Nine Russian nationals and one Kazakhstan national were arrested by police in a bar in Malate for working without proper permits on Wednesday.

Elements of the Manila Police District – Special Mayor’s Reaction Team (MPD SMaRT) conducted a raid at Sha-Sha Club located along San Andres corner Adriatico Streets at 9:40 p.m. on August 28.

During the inspection, authorities discovered that the Russian women did not have the necessary working permits.

The arrested foreigners were identified as Ekaterina Golubeva, 27; Polina Tagunova, 26; Anna Mozharevskaya, 24; Anastasia Bakumenko, 23; Aleksandra Ivanova, 29; Zukhra Akhmedzianova, 21; Alexandra Zivittinsh, 21;Diana Razogreeva, 21; Anna Nikitina, 27 and Ussipbek Kymbat, 24.

MPD chief Police Brigadier General Vicente Danao Jr. said officers apprehended these foreign nationals working as “entertainers” after it was discovered that they had no working visa.

Danao said the establishment “failed to comply with the necessary permits as provided for under the 2013 Omnibus Revenue Code of the City of Manila.”

Charges for violation of Article H, Section 98 (Professional Occupation Tax) and Article E, Section 138 (Health Certificate) in connection of Section 199 in the 2013 Omnibus Revenue Code of the City of Manila are being prepared against the foreign nationals, Danao said.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso has also recommended the immediate closure of Sha-Sha Bar.

The foreign nationals have been brought to the MPD SMaRT office for proper disposition.