Nightspot raid leads to arrest of 11 Filipinas

KOTA KINABALU: Eleven Filipinas have been detained in an anti-vice operation in Labuan.

The arrests were made by the Sabah anti-vice, gambling and secret societies division (D7) and Labuan Criminal Investigation Department (CID) after they raided a nightspot and living quarters at the Lazenda Commercial Centre at 10.30pm on Monday.

Sabah CID chief Senior Asst Comm Azmi Abd Rahim said they stormed the nightspot where they questioned the male caretaker and a Filipina who said she worked as a waitress there.

“We found that her visa was dubious and after further questioning, she disclosed that there were 10 other Filipinas working there, but that they were at the living quarters then.

“Our men then raided the quarters and found that all the 10 women had questionable visas,” he said yesterday, adding that the Filipinas, aged between 20 and 30, as well as the caretaker, were subsequently detained.

The women’s passports were seized as well, SAC Azmi said.

He said they were being investigated for various immigration offences under the Immigration Regulations 1963 as well as soliciting for the purpose of prostitution.