MAKATI City Mayor Abigail Binay ordered the closure of a hotel in the city reportedly being used as a prostitution den, and rescued 35 alleged sex workers, mostly Chinese women, while arresting 21 Chinese men on Monday night.
On orders of Binay, inspectors from the city’s Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) on Tuesday served a closure order on Maxx Hotel in Barangay Poblacion for violating Republic Act 10364, or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.
On Monday night, the Makati Police Department conducted an entrapment operation after receiving a report that the hotel was being used as a prostitution den.
Since January this year,
the BPLO has closed down 127 errant establishments for violations that include
operating without a valid business permit and
noncompliance with the National Building Code, Sanitation Code, and other
relevant laws and ordinances.
“The continuing crackdown has been ordered by the mayor to restore order and discipline in Makati and protect the interest of legitimate businesses—Makatizens and the general public,” Binay said in a statement.