Mayor orders probe on 'red light district'

ILOILO City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog ordered a former police official to investigate prostitution in the reported newest "red light district" at Fort San Pedro area.

Mabilog called retired police officer Federico Silvestre to spearhead the investigation and do drastic action to stop the practice of "cabu bathing" as a lewd show in some video bars and suspected red houses along the strip of Fort San Pedro area.

"Cabu bathing," from the local term "cabu" or water scooper, is a form of entertainment where customers pay P200 each to wash private parts of women.

Silvestre, who is currently the president of Fort San Pedro Livelihood Cooperative composed of bars, stores and stalls fronting the Fort San Pedro drive-in and the seaside, assured he will look into the matter and will not allow “cabu bathing” practice in bars.

Mabilog said he will not hesitate to demolish these bars and other sleazy places at Fort San Pedro should it be known these are prostitution dens fronting as nightclubs.

The mayor said the issue was brought to his attention by an acquaintance, who had been in these places. (Lydia C. Pendon)