Controversial massage parlors ordered closed

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes yesterday ordered the temporary closure of two massage parlors in the city for lacking permits to operate.

The Inspection team of the city administrator's office yesterday delivered copies of "Notice of Violations" to 789 Lingam Massage and Spa located in barangay Cambaro, Mandaue City and Experience Authentic Lingam Massage, another establishment owned by a certain Bella Talingting along A.S. Fortuna Street in barangay Bakilid.

It was found out during an inspection that the two Lingam Spas lacked the necessary permits to operate.

During the inspection, the establishments failed to show sanitary permits, the attendants also failed to present health cards.

Both establishments also failed to renew their business permits for the third quarter.

Both establishments were ordered to "cease and desist" from operating until they could comply with the law.

Their failure to heed the call of the city would mean that the local government will be constrained to file appropriate charges against them in court.

When the temporary closure order was issued yesterday to 789 Lingam Spa, it took awhile for Faith Villanueva to accept the notice because she said her employer was not around.

However, at Experience Authentic Lingam Massage, Roxanne Mauro, a supervisor of the establishment, accepted the notice readily.

Cortes's order came after the Cebu Provincial Women's Commission urged him to investigate the existence and operation of Lingam massage spa parlors in the city.

Provincial board member Agnes Magpale, the chairperson of the committee on women, family, and minors and co-chairperson of PWC, said she received information that the Lingam is now operating in Mandaue City, specifically in barangay Cambaro.

Lingam Spas recently stirred controversy following allegations that attendants offer extra services to male clients.

Lingam is a Sanskrit term for the male sexual organ and is also known as a prostate massage.

Cortes in a press conference said he will not hesitate to order the closure of the Lingam Spa's operating if it can be proven that "indecent acts" are being committed inside the establishments, have their permits revoked.

Cortes has ordered city administrator Briccio Boholst to investigate the matter.

"Kinahanglan nga mahunong gyud ni. Demeaning sa atong kababayen-an. Gawas pa counter- productive sa atong tourism. It could be sugo sa kalisud sa atong panahon but not here in Mandaue," Cortes said.

City Administrator Briccio Boholst said any of the spas would need someone with a professional license if he wishes to practice a profession in the medical field. These establishments would have to deal with the Professional Regulation Commission if it wants to operate this business.

Boholst said that as to the extent of the penalty, it is still under research since there is no actual law regarding spa activities except for general policy.

Like other kinds of massage, Lingam massage is calculated to soothe and relax. This technique involves stroking the male sex organ called "lingam" in Sanskrit.

However, a personnel from the 789 Lingam Spa (who refused to be named) yesterday said therapists touch their clients' genitals but the clients are not allowed to touch the therapists'.

She said lingam is the massage of the prostate and is not sexual intercourse.

The personnel said P900 is charged for one and a half hours for a whole body massage. (FREEMANNEWS)