U.S. Ambassador: 40% of Men Visit Philippines for Sex

MANILA—In comments that were quickly denied by officials in the Philippine government, U.S. ambassador Harry Thomas claims that 40 percent of male visitors to the country go there for sex. “We know that 40 percent of foreign men who come to the Philippines, including from the U.S., come for sexual tourism,” said Thomas, speaking to a forum of Philippine judges and officials. “That is not something I’m proud of. That’s not something you should be proud of.” The comments were apparently made in an effort to address sex trafficking, which Thomas claimed flourishes in the country due to widespread corruption among public officials. Thomas said an illegal sex trade is rampant in karaoke bars and clubs along Roxas Boulevard, a main thoroughfare in Manila that also houses the U.S. embassy.    Without mentioning anyone by name, he added, “Corruption allows these notorious establishments to continue to operate. Local officials will look the other way or accept favors. These officials are doubly guilty.” Tourism assistant secretary Domingo Enario wasted no time disputing the claims. “Certainly that is something we would like to dispute,” he told AFP. “We are not sure where his statistics are coming from.” According to AFP, the allegations come as the country is embarked on a campaign to increase tourism to the country from “an all-time high of 3.52 million visitors last year” to a target goal of 6 million by 2016. Whether a crackdown on the sex trade will make that target number more or less achievable remains to be seen. Photo: Courtesy of Jonathon Van Smit