By Chito Chavez

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has relentlessly vowed to close down all the city’s massage parlors and spas that offer “extra services’’ or those providing sexual favors in exchange for extra cash to their customers.

She pledged that no stone would be left unturned in the campaign, underscoring that unlawful massage parlors and spas operating through social media will be shut down.

On Friday, Belmonte, together with the Business Permit and Licensing Department (BPLD) and the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), conducted a raid of Dragon Spa on E. Rodriguez Ave. where they rescued four girls, aged 27 to 36 years old.

Before the raid, the QCPD conducted intelligence operations by booking online.

Upon confirmation, Belmonte spearheaded the raid where they discovered additional evidence proving the spa’s illegal operation.

“This is the first of our operations. We saw their menu where it is very clear that there are things going on that should not be going on and that there are clear violations,” said Belmonte.

Belmonte ordered the closure of the establishment for operating without a business permit since 2018 and for violating Sec 4e of Republic Act 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in relation to Republic Act 10675 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

She explained that authorities were in the process of identifying the massage parlor’s owner so they can file the appropriate charges.

Belmonte issued the crackdown order after receiving reports about several QC-based massage parlors offering “extra service” to customers through social media.

“Following reports na mayroong tinatawag na online spa, pinaimbestigahan namin ito sa BPLD (I will ask the BPLD to investigate),” said Belmonte.

In coordination with the QCPD, the BPLD, headed by Ma. Margarita Santos, discovered around 100 spas in Quezon City offering their services via social media.

“We will continue to work with Gen. Ronnie Montejo of the QCPD to continue to stake out the 99 other spa establishments to make sure that there are no more establishments such as this operating in Quezon City,” said Belmonte.

At the same time, Belmonte assured that the City’s Social Services Development Department (SSDD) would extend needed assistance to the rescued women.