The Iloilo City Government’s Task Force on Moral and Values Formation (TFMVF) is now looking into reports of alleged prostitution activities in the city amid quarantine measures.
“Padayon ang aton pagpamonitor sa areas nga ginareport sa aton nga ara ang mga sex worker naton nga sekreto nga nagahatag nga hingalit nga kalipay,” Nestor Canong, chairperson of TFMVF, said in an interview over radio station Bombo Radyo-Iloilo.
“Ginatutukan ta ini subong maskin gab-i, ilabi nagid ining mga nagakawat-kawat kag nagatransaksyon sa text kag online,” he added.
The city has been on lockdown since mid-March to prevent the further spread of the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The lockdown has affected the lives of many residents, especially those who rely on daily work for income.
“Ang rason naman ni nila (sex workers) bangud sa kapigaduhon,” Canong said.
There was an order from the Mayor Jerry Treñas, according to Canong, to intensify their monitoring on all lodging houses, motels, inns and resorts, among others.
“Ligad semana pa ni aton hugot nga pagmonitor kay amo ni order ni Mayor Treñas. Siya gid ni naghambal sa aton pagmeeting namon,” Canong said.
On Wednesday, May 20, a lodging house in Barangay Sto. Nino Sur in Arevalo district was ordered to close after TFMVF discovered that it was operating.
Accomodation establishments are still not allowed to reopen in GCQ areas, including Iloilo City.
When asked if they have recorded cases involving women who were demanded to have sex exchange for food and/or quarantine passes, Canong said: “Nabatian man naton ina nga balita pero sa iban nga lugar.”IMT