Loren alarmed over KTV sex dens

A female lawmaker expressed alarm yesterday over the alleged return of prostitution dens in Manila hiding under the guise of karaoke-TV (KTV) sing-along bars.

Senate Majority Leader Loren Legarda asked Western Police District (WPD) Director Senior Superintendent Pedro Bulaong to investigate allegations that several KTV bars in Manila are being used as fronts for prostitution. Legarda said she has received reports that the bars also employ minors as guest relation officers (GROs).

The senator said she also received reports that most of the KTV bars are being financed by wealthy Chinese, Japanese and Taiwanese nationals, who are reportedly able to enter and leave the country through their connections with Bureau of Immigration (BI) officials.

"That many of the women reportedly serving as GROs in these bars are minors should prompt the Manila police to investigate and, if so warranted, close down their operations," Legarda said.

"Our laws strictly prohibit prostitution and I call on our police officials to enforce it. They should also charge in court those who are protecting these activities," she added.

In a press statement, Legarda said an informant told her that most of the bars suspected of being prostitution fronts could be found in Ermita, Malate and Binondo.