Linggam massage ‘neutralized’

Cebu city’s anti-indecency campaign had several gains in the past year.

“We were quite successful,” said Dr. Lucelle Mercado, chairperson of the Cebu City Anti-Indecency Board (CCAIB).

She said the board and its partners were able to “neutralize” the sale of pornographic DVDs, the proliferation of linggam massage spas and the exploitation of minors in various bars.

Raids were conducted with law enforcement groups to rescue minors hired by bars. Complaints were also filed against suspected violators, she said.

“We will not rest. At least, they know the government is serious in making follow-ups,” said Mercado.

The biggest case of the CCAIB this year was the filing of criminal and administrative complaints against two Cebuano-language tabloids for running  columns, whose vocabulary and content, the board said was pornographic.

The prosecutor’s office last month  dismissed the CCAIB’s complaint for “insufficient evidence” but the board filed a motion for reconsideration in the cases  against Sun.Star SuperBalita and Banat News.

Mercado said the board will intensify its  campaign against indecency in 2012 and is set to hold a strategic planning session early next year.

She said the linggam massage business toned down “but we are not gullible enough to think that they are not operating.  It’s still there but it’s no longer as visible as it was.”

The Provincial Board led the crackdown on linggam by passing an ordinance banning the practice. This type of massage involves directly stimulating a man’s genitals./Reporter Ador Vincent S. Mayol