| US ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. |
DESPITE gaining ground in the fight against human trafficking, the Philippines has become a prime destination for foreigners who primarily want sex, United States Ambassador to Manila Harry Thomas Jr. said on Thursday.
Thomas estimated that about 40 percent of foreign males “come here [to the Philippines] for sexual tourism and that is unacceptable.”
The US envoy made the remarks in a speech at a judicial conference on human trafficking.
Speaking before several magistrates, Thomas said that all foreigners apprehended for sexual crimes must be punished under the full extent of the law.
He added that even US citizens engaging in sex-related crimes such as cybersex should be “prosecuted.”
“That is not something I’m proud of. That’s not something you should be proud of,” Thomas said, adding that the US government was willing to assist in the prosecution of such crimes, even if it involved its own citizens.
“Any of them who are engaged in things that violate the law—whether American or another foreigner—should be prosecuted. That is against human values,” he added.
The envoy also noted the existence of business establishments in Roxas Boulevard in Manila that were apparently engaging in human trafficking.
“We all know when we walk to Roxas Boulevard, we will see establishments. We know who owns them, who benefits, who allows them to continue. We should not let this happen,” Thomas said.
At the same time, he lauded the Philippines for its gains in combating human trafficking, saying that the country was a role model for others to follow.
The Philippines recently rose to Tier 1 from the Tier 2 watch list last year under the US State Department’s 2011 Trafficking in Persons Report.
But even with a record number of 25 convictions, Thomas said that “we cannot celebrate.”
“The prosecution of human traffickers is one part of the solution. Effective combating demands prevention, protection and prosecution,” he added.
According to the ambassador, “partnership” is also important for the Philippines to continue its fight against human trafficking.
Washington is willing to lend a hand in the campaign against human trafficking until the Philippines is removed from the State Department watch list, he said.
