CEBU CITY – Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation-Central Visayas arrested four persons during a raid recently of two massage parlors which were allegedly offering “extra service” to their clients.
The two massage spas were located in Barangay Labangon, Cebu City and in Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City.
Among those arrested was Mark Rhyan Bilocura, 24, owner of the two branches of McShield Spa Massage.
Also arrested during the NBI’s simultaneous raids last Thursday (March 31) were Bilocura’s 19-year-old brother John Loyd, who co-managed the parlors, Jessica Jane Alonzo, and Marisol Topacio, both receptionists.
Personnel of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking and the Department of Social Welfare and Development were also on hand during the raids that also led to the rescue of seven female and two male therapists.
Renan Oliva, regional director of NBI 7, said masseurs and therapists were allegedly forced to perform prostate and/or “lingam” massages on their clients.
Those who refused to offer “extra service” were admonished by the spa owner or were transferred to another branch “that they least liked.”
Olivia added applicants were also allegedly asked to perform a “lingam massage” on the owner as a pre-employment requirement.
The arrested persons have been charged for violating the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2021, Oliva said.
The rescued workers have been turned over to social workers.