20 beerhouses closed

Mayor Sigfrido "Freddie" Tinga ordered the closure of at least 20 beerhouses and videoke bars in Taguig for allegedly being prostitution fronts and for operating without the necessary business permits.

Tinga said that most of the establishments he ordered closed were located along Pasong Tamo Avenue Extension in Barangay Western Bicutan that has become a virtual "red-light" district.

Among those ordered closed were the J Sisters Videoke, DJ Videoke, Starlight Videoke and several beerhouses that did not even have names for their establishments, an indication that they were operating illegally.

Some of the nightclubs, Tinga said, had business permits but they were found to be violating provisions in their permits.

Tinga said the prostitution activities taking place in the beerhouses were known to local residents and the municipal government had just taken action on the numerous complaints it received.– Rainier Allan Ronda