It’s a dirty business! The sex trade is nothing new in the Philippines, as it has been around for many, many years. With the lure of big money, every day young women make their way from the provinces to the bars in cities, seeking work. For many of them, it is their choice to seek such employment, as they are only following in the footsteps of other relatives, sometimes even mother and grandma before her! It’s sad but true.
I recall in the 1990s, one of of the major calls to end the US Bases in the Philippines was to stamp out prostitution. Well, I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news! The US Bases in Olongapo and Angeles City have been long gone for well over 20 years, yet the sex trade in both locations has sharply increased ever since. Can’t blame the US servicemen for that one!
Sex Tourists
I recall when the former US Ambassador to the Philippines got in hot water when he publicly stated that 40% of the men who visit the Philippines are here for sex. He later apologized for his statement. There is probably not an accurate percentage available but the truth is, many men arrive in the Philippines with one thing on their minds, SEX.
The Philippine Government is well aware that Human Trafficking and the Prostitution of children are major issues in the country. During the last several years, the Philippine Government has made great strides in combating these two terrible social ills.
I know several foreigners who planned taking trips outside the Philippines with their younger Filipina girlfriends and fiances, however, BI prevented the young ladies from boarding their flight! Why? In an attempt to prevent human trafficking. An older foreigner and a younger Filipina, as young as 20, going to Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia or Cambodia? BI thinks there is something wrong with that picture. The guys I know were not taking their partner to sell them but rather they were usually making a visa run, when their 3 years were up. They were exiting the Philippines for a few days, so they could re-start their tourist visa again upon returning. They wanted to take their partner with them during their trips. However, BI is suspicious because many Filipinas have departed the country with their foreign partner only to never be heard from again! They were sold into sex slavery! It is a very lucrative but dirty business! One Filipina can be sold for as much as $18,000 USD or for as low as $2,400 USD.
There are laws in the Philippines to protect women and children from human trafficking but enforcement is not always easy due to those involved, offering protection to the criminals for money.
The Philippines Anti-Trafficking of Persons Act makes human trafficking, sex tourism, child prostitution and sex slavery a very serious crimes.
Hot Spots
Olongapo City, Angeles City, Metro Manila, Cebu City, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Bulucan and Puerto Galera are all notorious as destinations for sex tourists and perverts!
While some women are willing to engage in the sex trade business, many women are forced and controlled in the tourist sex trade. UNICEF statistics indicate that 60,000-100,000 children in the Philippines are involved in prostitution rings. Who does these evil things? Organized crime syndicates and their agents, who work for them. Kidnapping of women and children are also part of the syndicate’s crimes against humanity. The women and children are forced into prostitution. Those who refuse are beaten, tortured, starved and eventually murdered unless they are rescued or unless they get lucky and escape.
Foreigners seeking underage Filipinas and Filipinos for sex now face a double whammy and I think that these perverts should be hit with even more serious consequences for their unacceptable behavior. This is now a form of human trafficking in the Philippines and they will be charged with such. Languishing in a Philippine jail for 5 years or longer before even going to trial does not sound so bad after all for these animals, who are indeed guilty! If the person has a video of them and a minor performing sex acts, the NBI calls that a clue!
Stay Away Joe!
It hasn’t gotten to that point yet but every time a foreigner is arrested in the Philippines for sex crimes, it has some trickle down affect for the good guys. Legislation was introduced this year by Congresswoman Gwen Garcia, which will make it more difficult for a foreigner marrying a Filipina in the Philippines. This Bill, if passed into law, will require the prospective foreign groom to show proof of income to support a family and he must present a Certificate of Good Moral Character, both new requirements. Just yesterday, the Philippine Congress approved the Bill and it will next go to the Senate.
I’ve been on PAL flights from the USA to Manila in years past a number of times. On one flight, 2 Americans kept giving the flight attendants a hard time and were making highly suggestive sexual comments to them. I spoke with one of the male PAL flight attendants and he told me those 2 guys would not even be allowed out of the airport in Manila but would be put on the next flight back to the States and Blacklisted from returning to the Philippines! Sure enough, a BI escort was waiting for the obnoxious Americans once we departed from the plane and they escorted them to a “special processing area.”
I don’t have any use for anyone who exploits Filipinos, including other Filipinos, which does happen! It is a shame but true. If any foreigner I know shows his butt in public, I disassociate from them because in the Philippines, you can be guilty by association!