Lim Renews Crackdown vs Sex Trade

Published in The Manila Times
(January 26, 2000)

INTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Alfredo Lim yesterday ordered a renewed crackdown against prostitution syndicates responsible for fielding sex workers in Metro Manila.

Lim directed Philippine National Police National Capital Region Police Office (PNP-NCRPO) director Edgardo Aglipay to launch a “no-nonsense” crackdown by arresting those responsible for the proliferation of the flesh trade, including illegal drugs, in variuos establishments of the metropolis.

He expressed concern over intelligence reports that sex workers, fielded by prostitution syndicates, are shifting from nightclubs to shoppoing malls in Metro Manila and nearby cities and province.

Reports also said the sex workers ply their trade allegedly in cahoots with policemen and local officials in the metropolis.

While still mayor of manila, Lim had waged a battle, against prostitution in nightspots and other entertainment places, which helped transform Malate and Ermita, previously known as “red light districts,” into places of clean and wholesome entertainment.

He said most of the bars and entertainment places raided were either used as fronts for prostitution or Prohibited drugs victimizing innocent women, majority of them young girls.

Lim said that because of these campaigns against prostitution, drugs and pornography, 113 cases were filed against him and his campaign implementers, but 109 of these cases have been dismissed, with only four still to be decided upon by the courts.

“Exert all effort to stop the alleged proliferation of prostitution and drugs in shopping malls by arresting not only the sex workers engaged in the trade, but more importantly their operators and maintainers who field them in said places,” Lim said.

He said among the shopping malls identified in the intelligence report were Ali Mall, Manuela Department Store and SM Harrison Plaza and SM Megamall.