Human trafficking in the Philippines

An undated United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) document estimated that 60,000 to 100,000 children in the Philippines were involved in prostitution rings as of 2009. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO) about 100,000 children were involved in prostitution {{as of|2009|lc=on}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.speroforum.com/a/19268/Philippines-Four-million-child-slaves|title=Philippines: Four million child slaves|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402173115/http://www.speroforum.com/a/19268/Philippines-Four-million-child-slaves}} There is a high incidence of child prostitution in tourist areas. An undetermined number of children are forced into exploitative labour operations.[http://www.unicef.org/media/files/ipulocaltrafficking.doc Factsheet: Child Trafficking in the Philippines (undated), UNICEF] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081117130109/http://www.unicef.org/media/files/ipulocaltrafficking.doc |date=November 17, 2008 }},

As of 2020, the Philippines is ranked as Tier 1 in the Trafficking in Persons Report of the United States (US) State Department after substantial efforts.[https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-trafficking-in-persons-report/philippines/ 2020 Trafficking in Persons Report: Philippines] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122030431/https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-trafficking-in-persons-report/philippines/ |date=January 22, 2021 }}, U.S. Department of State.

A report published in 2004 by the Vatican stated: The Philippines has a serious trafficking problem of women and children illegally recruited into the tourist industry for sexual exploitation. Destinations within the country are Metro Manila, Angeles City, Olongapo City, towns in Bulacan, Batangas, Cebu City, Davao and Cagayan de Oro City and other sex tourist resorts such as Puerto Galera, Pagsanjan, San Fernando Pampanga, and many beach resorts throughout the country. The promise of recruiters offers women and children attractive jobs in the country or abroad, and instead they are coerced and forced and controlled into the sex industry for tourists.Rev. Father Shay Cullen, MSSC, President of the PREDA Foundation, Philippines, [https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/migrants/pom2004_96-suppl/rc_pc_migrants_pom96-suppl_cullen.html People on the Move] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125210307/https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/migrants/pom2004_96-suppl/rc_pc_migrants_pom96-suppl_cullen.html |date=November 25, 2021 }}, N° 96 (Suppl.), December 2004. [https://www.vatican.va/ vatican.va] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206111318/https://www.vatican.va/ |date=February 6, 2015 }}

There are numerous cases of child molestation that have been reported in Puerto Galera, a beach resort on Mindoro Island three hours south of Manila. The area is a favorite for foreign child molesters seeking children.[http://www.philnews.com/2005/va.html Universal Jurisdiction Needed to Convict Child Traffickers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070331225609/http://www.philnews.com/2005/va.html |date=March 31, 2007 }}, September 21, 2005. Puerto Galera was described in 1997 as one of the Philippines top five spots for child prostitution.{{cite web|title=PHILIPPINES-CHILDREN: Scourge of Child Prostitution|url=http://www.ipsnews.net/1997/10/philippines-children-scourge-of-child-prostitution/|date=October 12, 1997|access-date=June 11, 2013|archive-date=December 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230231707/http://www.ipsnews.net/1997/10/philippines-children-scourge-of-child-prostitution/|url-status=live}}

In 1991 a volcanic eruption of Mount Pinatubo forced an evacuation and destroyed much of the Clark Air Base, a major United States military facility located 40 miles (60 km) northwest of Manila, which closed shortly thereafter. Most of the sex trade around the base closed at the same time due to the loss of the GI customers.{{Cite web|url=http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,SOF_0904_Slavery1,00.html |title=The Modern Scourge of Sex Slavery |publisher=Soldier of Fortune Magazine |author=Martin Brass |year=2004 |access-date=June 11, 2013 |website=military.com |archive-date=May 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515123411/http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,SOF_0904_Slavery1,00.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite book|title=The Sex Sector: The Economic and Social Bases of Prostitution in Southeast Asia |author= Lin Lean Lim|year=1998|publisher=International Labour Organization|isbn=978-92-2-109522-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VFNKZbL1jWwC&q=%22prostitution%22+%22Angeles+City%22&pg=PA102|access-date=June 11, 2013}} Mayor Alfredo Lim proceeded to crack down on Manila's remaining sex industry, causing many of these businesses to relocate to Angeles City, which borders on the closed base, and was becoming a popular tourist destination especially with former GIs.{{Cite web |url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/alrc/publications/reform/reform67/ALRCR67CONFRONTINGSEXUALE.html |title=ALRC Reform Issue 67 – Gender issues: CONFRONTING SEXUAL EXPLOITATION |access-date=February 4, 2007 |archive-date=July 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719045712/http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/alrc/publications/reform/reform67/ALRCR67CONFRONTINGSEXUALE.html |url-status=live }}

By the late 1990s, UNICEF estimated that there are 60,000 child prostitutes in the Philippines, describing Angeles City brothels as "notorious" for offering sex with children.

In 1997, the BBC reported that UNICEF estimated many of the 200 brothels in the notorious Angeles City offer children for sex.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/politics97/news/08/0830/phil.shtml|title=BBC Politics 97|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=January 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110125091928/http://www.bbc.co.uk/politics97/news/08/0830/phil.shtml|url-status=live}}

The current{{clarify timeframe|date=December 2013}} trade is dominated by Australian bar operators{{cite web|url=http://cpcabrisbane.org/Kasama/2003/V17n3/Preda.htm|title=Australian charged with child abuse in Angeles City|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=April 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405183054/http://cpcabrisbane.org/Kasama/2003/V17n3/Preda.htm|url-status=live}}{{failed verification|date=December 2013}} and sustained by tourists seeking inexpensive sex.{{Cite book|title=The Sociology of Tourism|author1=Yiorgos Apostolopoulos |author2=Stella Leivadi |author3=Andrew Yiannakis |year=1996|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-415-13508-5|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=6C4QuDjrVToC&q=%22prostitution%22+%22Angeles+City%22&pg=RA4-PA271|access-date=June 11, 2013}}

In bars catering mostly to foreign men, girls are sold for a "bar fine".

Conditions are sometimes brutal{{cite magazine| url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,106430,00.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070123175954/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,106430,00.html | archive-date=January 23, 2007 | magazine=Time | title=The Forgotten Angels | date=April 23, 2001 | access-date=May 4, 2010}} Children and teenagers are lured into the industry from poor areas by promises of money and care, and are kept there by threats, debt bondage and the fear of poverty.{{better source needed|date=August 2022}}

Angeles City is one of the largest sex tourist destinations in the world with just over 15 thousand women working in its various sex establishments (brothels, bars and videokes).[https://web.archive.org/web/20081006205934/http://www.renew-foundation.org/index.html?_ret_=return Renew Foundation Philippines] (archived from [http://www.renew-foundation.org/index.html?_ret_=return the original] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006205934/http://www.renew-foundation.org/index.html?_ret_=return |date=October 6, 2008 }} on October 6, 2008)

In 2005, UNICEF reported evidence of growing child pornography production in Angeles City.{{cite web

| url = http://www.malaya.com.ph/apr06/news4.htm

| title = Child exploitation growing

| access-date = May 20, 2007

| last = Lopez

| first = JP |author2=Jumilla, Marilou |author3=Hachero, Ashzel

| date= April 6, 2005

| work = Malaya News

| publisher = People's Independent Media Inc

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050829023203/http://malaya.com.ph/apr06/news4.htm

| archive-date = August 29, 2005

| quote = Unicef executive director Carol Bellamy... said the UN study found extensive evidence of child pornography in the Philippines, particularly in tourist destinations like Pagsanjan in Laguna, Angeles City, Baguio City and Puerto Galera in Mindoro.... According to the study, the number of reported child pornography victims totaled nine in 2000; four in 2001; seven in 2002 and 13 in 2003. Child prostitution data listed 186 reported cases in 2000; 224 in 2001; 245 in 2002, and 247 in 2003.

}}

Children as young as ten years old have been rescued from brothels in Angeles.{{cite web|url=http://www.hopeinheavenfilm.com/production.htm|title=Hope in Heaven – The Production|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=March 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319082236/http://www.hopeinheavenfilm.com/production.htm|url-status=live}}

STD cases rose five times. The RHWC treated 1,421 cases in 2005, 2,516 cases in 2006 and 6,229 cases in 2007. Most of the afflicted were women.{{cite news|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20080325-126402/Sisters-Plus-aids-Angeles-sex-workers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080330011916/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20080325-126402/Sisters-Plus-aids-Angeles-sex-workers|date=March 25, 2008 |archive-date=March 30, 2008|title='Sisters Plus' aids Angeles sex workers |author=Tonette Orejas |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer }}

CNN stated in 2010 that "A decade ago, Pagsanjan, located about 60 miles south of Manila, became known as a popular location for men seeking homosexual prostitutes."{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9608/31/pedophile/index.html | work=CNN | title=Child sex trade plagues Filipino resort | access-date=May 4, 2010 | archive-date=October 5, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005081942/http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9608/31/pedophile/index.html | url-status=live }} Pagsanjan began to attract an increasing number of child molesters. "In the '80s, Pagsanjan was declared by international gay publications as a paradise for them, a gay paradise, a haven for homosexuals", said Dr. Sonia Zaide, an activist who is particularly concerned by the expansion of the town's sex trade to include minors, mostly young boys.{{cite web|url=http://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1988/jun1988/gr_82544_1988.html|title=G.R. No. 82544|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304130641/http://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1988/jun1988/gr_82544_1988.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.preda.org/main/archives/1989-90-91-92/r9102031.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130415172615/http://www.preda.org/main/archives/1989-90-91-92/r9102031.htm|title=Preda Foundation, Inc. NEWS/ARTICLES: "Success Against Child Abuse (Harvey, Mark)"|archive-date=April 15, 2013 }}{{cite news|last=Barker|first=Louis|title=Child rights center helps uncover Norwegian Pedophile ring – four charged in Oslo|url=http://www.preda.org/main/archives/1999/r9902191.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130620203003/http://www.preda.org/main/archives/1999/r9902191.htm|archive-date=June 20, 2013|access-date=June 11, 2013|newspaper=Asian Report}}

Time magazine reported in 1993 that Pagsanjan was a favorite destination for sex tourists seeking children.{{cite magazine| url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,978725-3,00.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118203612/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,978725-3,00.html | archive-date=January 18, 2008 | magazine=Time | title=Prostitution: Defiling The Children | date=June 21, 1993 | access-date=May 4, 2010}}

The Filipino government began a crackdown on the child sex industry in Pagsanjan and 23 people of varying nationalities were arrested.

Foreign child molesters take advantage of the poverty, with children often being used as sexual currency by their own parents.{{cn|date=November 2022|reason=see "Removal of apparently unreliable source" on the talk page}} The World Bank World Development Report for 1995 reported that the town of Pagsanjan through civic action had dramatically reduced child prostitution.[http://www.caribbeanelections.com/eDocs/development_reports/wdr_1995.pdf World Development Report 1995] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230233332/http://www.caribbeanelections.com/eDocs/development_reports/wdr_1995.pdf |date=December 30, 2013 }}, The World Bank.

October 5 has become the Day of No Prostitution Campaign in Davao City.

In 2005, the Philippine Information Agency reported documented cases of children as young as 10 years old forced into prostitution in Davao.

Davao provinces, along with the Caraga region, have become the favorites of child traffickers posing as tourists.[http://archives.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&sec=reader&rp=1&fi=p051011.htm&no=3&date= Davao City has 3,000 registered prostituted women] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231010242/http://archives.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&sec=reader&rp=1&fi=p051011.htm&no=3&date= |date=December 31, 2013 }} Philippine Information Sources, October 11, 2005

In 2001, it was estimated there were 10,000 young girls trafficked into sex slavery in Cebu.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1713865.stm | work=BBC News | title=Radio helps sex industry victims | date=December 16, 2001 | access-date=May 4, 2010 | archive-date=June 23, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623071616/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1713865.stm | url-status=live }} "What has become very obvious is a growing market for child prostitutes," said Father Heinz, a Catholic priest who has been involved for more than a decade in initiatives to beat the pimps and child-traffickers. It was reported in 2009 that Cebu remained a destination, source and transit area for human trafficking, where women and children victims are brought to be "processed".{{cite web|url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/news/view/20091021-231421/Cebu-a--transit-point-for-child-trafficking|title=Cebu a transit point for child trafficking – INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327091536/http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/news/view/20091021-231421/Cebu-a--transit-point-for-child-trafficking|archive-date=March 27, 2012|access-date=March 15, 2015}} It was reported in 2005 that Cebu had been the destination of international and domestic trafficking of children, aged from 11 to 17 years old.[https://web.archive.org/web/20060222113433/http://www.ecpat.net/eng/Ecpat_inter/IRC/newsdesk_articles.asp?SCID=1580 Philippines is 4th in trafficking of children], Ecpat International, February 12, 2005.

More than a dozen of cybersex operations have been busted in the Pampanga province and Angeles City areas, this resulted in the rescue of hundreds of exploited women, most of them minors or below 18 years of age. Hundreds of computers sets have been seized, including sex toys and other gadgets used in the cybersex operations mostly maintained by foreigners.

A forum hosted by the Prosecution Law Enforcement and Community Coordinating Service (proleccs) discussed several factors that contribute to the human trafficking problem and these include poverty, the proliferation of underground cybersex through internet and sex tourism.{{cite news|title=Judiciary, PNP vow stop to human trafficking|newspaper=Sun.Star Pampagna|date=September 1, 2007}}

Lucena ports have been identified by anti-human trafficking advocates as transit points used by syndicates engaged in the recruitment of innocent women from remote areas destined for prostitution dens in other parts of the country.{{cite news|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20080122-114044/14-trafficked-women-rescued-in-Lucena|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917030759/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20080122-114044/14-trafficked-women-rescued-in-Lucena|archive-date=September 17, 2008|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|title=14 trafficked women rescued in Lucena|date=January 22, 2008}}

In 1988 a Naval Investigative undercover operation based in Subic Bay were offered children for sex as young as four.{{Cite web|url=http://www.preda.org/main/archives/1997/r9708011.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130415164225/http://www.preda.org/main/archives/1997/r9708011.htm|title=Preda Foundation, Inc. NEWS/ARTICLES: "Paper to Child Labor Coalition, Washington"|archive-date=April 15, 2013 }}

Many of those involved in the prostitution of children have been brought to justice in the courts.{{cite web|title=Fighting The Child Sex Trade|url=http://www.preda.org/main/archives/2000/r00050801.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130620202931/http://www.preda.org/main/archives/2000/r00050801.html|archive-date=June 20, 2013|access-date=June 11, 2013}}{{cite web|title=Campaign Against Paedophiles|url=http://www.preda.org/main/work/campaigns/campaedo.htm|access-date=June 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100607094237/http://www.preda.org/main/work/campaigns/campaedo.htm|archive-date=June 7, 2010}} Most of the 16,000 women estimated to have worked the bars around the largest overseas naval base were forced into the sex industry.{{cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2006/01/12/2003288614|title=Speaking the truth on prostitution|date=January 12, 2006|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402161822/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2006/01/12/2003288614|url-status=live}}

One 16-year-old child tells of her experience in Subic Bay: "She was locked in a room for a month, starved and force-fed drugs and alcohol to ensure she was addicted and could be more easily controlled. She was often beaten unconscious for refusing to have sex with customers." Pregnancy, abortion, the spread of disease and drug abuse were just some of the indignities imposed on Filipinas.{{cite web|url=http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/5768|title=Forgotten legacy of Subic Bay|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=April 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403025243/https://www.greenleft.org.au/node/5768|url-status=live}}

Despite the US pull-out from Subic Bay in 1992, continues to fester, catering to a new generation of civilian sex tourists. The former naval base, and current visits by American military have been the subject of protests by welfare groups and activists in Subic. Brandishing placards and chanting slogans, members of WAIL and GABRIELA called for justice for all victims of human rights abuses.{{cite news|title=RP government seeks custody of six American marines|url=http://www.filipinoexpress.com/19/47_news.html|access-date=June 11, 2013|newspaper=The Filipino Express|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060206195111/http://www.filipinoexpress.com/19/47_news.html|archive-date=February 6, 2006}}

Trafficking of Women and Children in Olongapo was rampant during the time of the Subic Naval Base located close by.

In 1988, the US Naval Investigative Service confirmed the existence of child prostitution in Olongapo City.{{cite web|url=http://www.aprnet.org/index.php?a=show&c=Conference%20on%20US%20Militarism%20and%20War%20on%20Terror%20in%20the%20Asia-Pacific&t=conferences&i=93|title=Asia Pacific Research Network|author=Asia Pacific Research Network|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=February 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208053530/http://www.aprnet.org/index.php?a=show&c=Conference%20on%20US%20Militarism%20and%20War%20on%20Terror%20in%20the%20Asia-Pacific&t=conferences&i=93|url-status=live}}

After the base closure a new child molesters clientele from countries such as Australia and Europe moved in.

Olongapo special prosecutor Dorentino Z. Floresta states, "Politicians do not want people to know that these things are happening in Olongapo," said Floresta.{{Cite web|url=http://www.preda.org/main/archives/1997/r9712111.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914090326/http://www.preda.org/main/archives/1997/r9712111.htm|title=Preda Foundation, Inc. NEWS/ARTICLES: "Sailors Have Left, but Traffic in Children Is Brisk in Philippines "|archive-date=September 14, 2012 }}

Eastern Visayas continues to be a source of women and children being sent to Metro Manila brothels and sweatshops. Department of Social Welfare and Development officials said the number of human trafficking cases was increasing.{{cite web|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20071205-105096/Human_trafficking_cases_in_E._Visayas_%91alarming%92|title=Human trafficking cases in E. Visayas 'alarming'|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130222031857/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20071205-105096/Human_trafficking_cases_in_E._Visayas_%91alarming%92|archive-date=February 22, 2013|access-date=March 15, 2015}}

Leticia Corillo, DSWD regional director stated that the victims were mostly children and women.

Seventy percent are aged from 13 to 17 years old.{{cite web|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/74023/news/nation/solon-seeks-action-vs-human-trafficking-in-visayas|title=Solon seeks action vs human trafficking in Visayas|work=GMA News Online|date=December 24, 2007 |access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402110915/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/74023/news/nation/solon-seeks-action-vs-human-trafficking-in-visayas|url-status=live}} A DSWD report, said the Waray towns of Paranas and Jiabong and Calbayog City in Samar province and Mapanas and Las Navas in Northern Samar are considered as human trafficking "hotspots".

The US Department of State in July 2001, estimated that about 40,000 Filipino women were trafficked into the sex and entertainment industry in Japan using entertainment visas.{{cite journal |last1=Cameron |first1=Sally |last2=Newman |first2=Edward |title=Coalitions against Trafficking in Human Beings in the Philippines - Phase 1; Trafficking of Filipino Women to Japan: Examining the Experiences and Perspectives of Victims and Government Experts |journal=United Nations Global Programme Against Trafficking in Human Beings |page=6 |url=https://www.unodc.org/pdf/crime/human_trafficking/Exec_summary_UNU.pdf |access-date=27 April 2022 |publisher=United Nations University |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040722113658/https://www.unodc.org/pdf/crime/human_trafficking/Exec_summary_UNU.pdf |archive-date=22 July 2004 }} A 2007 report by CBC News estimates the number of Filipinas trafficked into Japan for prostitution to be as high as 150,000.{{cite web |title=Fact Sheet About the Sex Trade in the Philippines |url=http://www.cbc.ca/thelens/heaven_facts.html |website=CBC News |access-date=27 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070124031620/http://www.cbc.ca/thelens/heaven_facts.html |archive-date=24 January 2007}} Club owners in Japan oblige Filipino entertainers to date their customers during daytime and, in some cases, force them into prostitution.{{cite journal |last1=Fujimoto |first1=Nobuki |title=Trafficking in Persons and the Filipino Entertainers in Japan |journal=FOCUS |date=March 2006 |volume=43 |url=https://www.hurights.or.jp/archives/focus/section2/2006/03/trafficking-in-persons-and-the-filipino-entertainers-in-japan.html |access-date=27 April 2022 |at=Filipino Entertainers in Japan |publisher=Asia-Pacific Human Rights Information Center |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215210415/https://www.hurights.or.jp/archives/focus/section2/2006/03/trafficking-in-persons-and-the-filipino-entertainers-in-japan.html |archive-date=15 December 2010 }} Some of them were sold allegedly to the Yakuza for $2,400 to $18,000. A trafficker earns $3,000–$5,000 for each woman or girl sold in the international sex trade.{{Cite web|url=http://www.unpac.ca/economy/g_migration.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514045035/http://www.unpac.ca/economy/g_migration.html|title=Women & The Economy – Globalization & Migration|archive-date=May 14, 2011}}

An article in the newspaper Davao Today reports that, according to experts, the growth of tourism in the Philippines in places such as Cebu and Boracay, has given rise to the sexual exploitation of women and children.{{cite web|url=http://davaotoday.com/2006/february/13%20toursim%20windfall.php|title=Davao Today – Fair. In-Depth. Relevant.|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=August 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120802083613/http://davaotoday.com/2006/february/13%20toursim%20windfall.php|url-status=live}} In a 2004 article, the People's Recovery, Empowerment Development Assistance Foundation (PREDA) reported in 2004 that ECPAT, which it describes as "a global network that campaigns against child prostitution", estimates that 300,000 sex tourists from Japan alone visit the Philippines every year. In the same article, PREDA reports, "many others are British."{{cite web

|url=http://www.preda.org/main/archives/2004/r04062801.html

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130620202955/http://www.preda.org/main/archives/2004/r04062801.html

|archive-date=June 20, 2013

|title=In the clubs of the Filipino sex trade, a former RUC officer is back in business

|author=Kathy Marks

|author-link=Kathy Marks

|date=June 28, 2004

|access-date=June 10, 2013

}}

Local NGO Preda states that the majority of the "customers" (the word used by the children to describe their abusers) are local tourists and about ten percent are foreign tourists. The foreign customers, according to arrest figures compiled by ECPAT Manila rank in frequency as follows: American, Japanese, Australian, British, German, Swiss, other nationalities.

UNICEF noted that child trafficking in the Philippines is the highest incidence of child prostitution in a tourist area.{{Cite web|url=http://ecpatinternational.com/EI/Resource_newsclippings.asp?id=928|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116103319/http://ecpatinternational.com/EI/Resource_newsclippings.asp?id=928|title=Child trafficking in RP unstoppable – DSWD|archive-date=January 16, 2016}}

{{Main|Sex trafficking in the Philippines}}

Sex trafficking in the Philippines is a significant problem. Filipina women and girls have been forced into prostitution and been physically and psychologically abused.{{cite web|url=https://untvweb.com/news/victims-of-human-trafficking-in-ph-spike-to-over-700000-global-slavery-index/|title=Victims of human trafficking in PH spike to over 700,000 – Global Slavery Index|date=December 6, 2018|website=UNTV|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=February 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220230327/https://untvweb.com/news/victims-of-human-trafficking-in-ph-spike-to-over-700000-global-slavery-index/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/06/world/asia/freedom-fighter-victims/index.html|title=Victims endure lives degraded by traffickers|date=May 16, 2013|website=CNN|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=October 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018140319/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/06/world/asia/freedom-fighter-victims/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.net/nation-world/world/facebook-used-to-kidnap-girls-for-sex-slaves/article_53358eb6-2ac7-5103-8f5d-08143cfdb29f.html|title=Facebook used to kidnap girls for sex slaves|date=October 29, 2012|website=Standard-Examiner|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=July 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729003036/https://www.standard.net/nation-world/world/facebook-used-to-kidnap-girls-for-sex-slaves/article_53358eb6-2ac7-5103-8f5d-08143cfdb29f.html|url-status=live}}

The Philippines continued to assist U.S. law enforcement authorities in the transfer to U.S. custody of Americans who sexually exploited children.{{cite web|url=http://www.humantrafficking.org/countries/philippines|title=HumanTrafficking.org – Philippines|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315043207/http://humantrafficking.org/countries/philippines|archive-date=March 15, 2015}}{{failed verification|date=December 2013}} Foreign child molesters are a major problem in a country like the Philippines. Some foreign child molesters are very well connected and have positions in industry and politics. Profile studies of these child molesters show they come mostly from Europe and are usually well off, married and with children of their own.

Some foreign child molesters arrange with bribes and corrupt practices to get the children out of the country and abuse them in another country.{{Cite web|url=http://www.preda.org/main/archives/1989-90-91-92/r9010011.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130620202946/http://www.preda.org/main/archives/1989-90-91-92/r9010011.htm|title=Preda Foundation, Inc. NEWS/ARTICLES: "The Abusers"|archive-date=June 20, 2013 }} The problem of foreign child molesters continues to be reported in the press.{{Cite web|url=http://www.preda.org/main/archives/hl/wvb.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101230143953/http://www.preda.org/main/archives/hl/wvb.html|title=Preda Foundation, Inc. Headlines News: "Worlds Vilest Brits"|archive-date=December 30, 2010}} It was reported in 1999 that foreign child molesters have operated openly in the Philippines.[http://www.redress.org/downloads/country-reports/WILSON-UN-868-1999.pdf UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE ALBERT WILSON V. PHILIPPINES : COMMUNICATION NO. 868/1999] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103131526/http://www.redress.org/downloads/country-reports/WILSON-UN-868-1999.pdf |date=November 3, 2013 }}, [http://www.redress.org/ redress.org/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022034853/http://www.redress.org/ |date=October 22, 2012 }}.

In 2008, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) warned of a new modus operandi of foreign child molesters in the Philippines, saying "The child molesters usually meet the mothers, sometimes even the grandmothers, of possible victims online and make them their girlfriends. The women usually let the economically better-off foreigners into their lives and their homes, not knowing that the men would later pounce on their young children."{{cite web|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080707-147031/Pedophiles-courting-mothers-online-to-get-to-children|title=Pedophiles courting mothers online to get to children – INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402111924/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080707-147031/Pedophiles-courting-mothers-online-to-get-to-children|archive-date=April 2, 2015}}

It was reported in 2007 that in Angeles, Pampanga (characterized as a hotspot for trafficking and sex trade), child molesters were increasingly using the Internet to lure other child molesters to come to the Philippines. Live video streaming on the Web was reported to show children being sexually abused. Other child molesters were reported to browse personal profiles or lurk in chat rooms to find their victims.{{Cite web |url=http://www.wfsphil.com/own/labels/technology.html |title=OWN! |access-date=December 30, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106175950/http://www.wfsphil.com/own/labels/technology.html |archive-date=January 6, 2009 }}

Republic Act 6955 declares as unlawful "the practice of matching Filipino women for marriage to foreign nationals on a mail order basis."{{cite web

| url = http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno6955.html

| title = An act to declare unlawful the practice of matching Filipino women for marriage to foreign nationals on a mail-order basis and other similar practices including the advertisement, publication, printing or distribution of brochures, fliers and other propaganda materials in furthurance [sic] thereof and providing penalty therefor

| access-date = December 19, 2006

| publisher = Chanrobles Law Library

| archive-date = January 14, 2007

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070114114858/http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno6955.html

| url-status = live

}}{{cite web|url=http://www.humantrafficking.org/government_law/45|title=HumanTrafficking.org – Philippines: Government Laws – Mail-Order Bride Law (Republic Act No. 6955)|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402191306/http://www.humantrafficking.org/government_law/45|archive-date=April 2, 2015}}

It is also unlawful under the R.A. 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, a penal law against human trafficking, sex tourism, sex slavery and child prostitution.{{cite web|url=http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno9208.html|title=REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9208 – AN ACT TO INSTITUTE POLICIES TO ELIMINATE TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS ESPECIALLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN, ESTABLISHING THE NECESSARY INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS FOR THE PROTECTION AND SUPPORT OF TRAFFICKED PERSONS, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR ITS VIOLATIONS, AND FOR OTHER|author=RONALD ECHALAS DIAZ, Office Manager|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=March 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330044008/http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno9208.html|url-status=live}}

The Philippines Government first outlawed bride agencies in 1990 after being alarmed at reports of widespread abuse of Philippine women in other countries.{{cite web|url=http://www.nostatusquo.com/ACLU/anderson/brides/pg1.html|title=Mail Order Brides and the Abuse of Immigrant Women|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=February 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220154018/http://nostatusquo.com/ACLU/anderson/brides/pg1.html|url-status=live}}

There have been 5,000 Filipina mail order brides entering the United States every year since 1986, a total of 55,000 as of 1997.{{cite web|title=United States|url=http://www.catwinternational.org/factbook/usa1.php|work=Factbook|publisher=Coalition Against Trafficking in Women|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050106234822/http://www.catwinternational.org/factbook/usa1.php|archive-date=January 6, 2005}}

Matibag, an assistant professor of the Department of Sociology at the Iowa State University, said browsing for potential brides on websites is as easy as shopping for a shirt. Each woman is assigned a catalogue number.{{cite news|title=Mail-order submission|url=http://www.asianpacificpost.com/portal2/c1ee8c441c4e2701011c52b1ec0701c6_Philippines_News_Template_2008.do.html|access-date=June 11, 2013|newspaper=Asian Pacific Post|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825201514/http://www.asianpacificpost.com/portal2/c1ee8c441c4e2701011c52b1ec0701c6_Philippines_News_Template_2008.do.html|archive-date=August 25, 2010}} Maria Regina Angela Galias, head of the Migrant Integration and Education Division of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), stated that South Korea and Japan have become the top destinations of Filipina mail-order brides.{{Cite web |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/10/211_53320.html |title=Filipina Mail-Order Brides Vulnerable to Abuse |date=October 11, 2009 |access-date=February 5, 2010 |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017094132/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/10/211_53320.html |url-status=live }}

Over 70% of Philippine women live in poverty, thus making them particularly vulnerable to the mail-order industry.

Debt bondage is a criminal offence under the R.A. 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003

According to Human Rights Watch, the practice of "debt bondage" among sexual traffickers is routine, and women often find that their so-called debts only increase and can never be fully repaid.{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/en/news/2000/02/21/international-trafficking-women-and-children|title=International Trafficking of Women and Children – Human Rights Watch|date=February 21, 2000|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402124821/http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2000/02/21/international-trafficking-women-and-children|url-status=live}}

Recruiters sometimes buy children and sell them into prostitution. Most often the children have either been stolen from their villages or sold off by their poor families.{{cite web|url=http://www1.american.edu/TED/philippine-traffic.htm|title=TED Case Study Template|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402100351/http://www1.american.edu/TED/philippine-traffic.htm|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Woolf|first=Linda M.|title=Forced Labor and Debt Bondage|url=http://www.webster.edu/~woolflm/forcedlabor.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010724081248/http://www.webster.edu/~woolflm/forcedlabor.html|archive-date=July 24, 2001}}

In 2008, the National Bureau of Investigation alerted the public over the rampant smuggling of human organs in the Philippines. The NBI said smugglers are now targeting children who are kidnapped and taken abroad where their organs are sold to foreign nationals.{{cite web|url=http://gvnet.com/humantrafficking/Philippines.htm|title=Human Trafficking & Modern-day Slavery – Philippines|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402161229/http://gvnet.com/humantrafficking/Philippines.htm|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/08/24/08/nbi-raises-alarm-child-organ-trafficking |title=NBI raises alarm on child-organ trafficking {{!}} ABS-CBN News |access-date=June 10, 2013 |archive-date=June 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605172259/http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/08/24/08/nbi-raises-alarm-child-organ-trafficking |url-status=live }}

The World Health Organization has identified the Philippines as one of the five organ trafficking hotpots.{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-organs-transplant-hotspots-idUSL0142628820070806 | title=FACTBOX: Five organ trafficking hotspots | date=August 6, 2007 | work=Reuters | access-date=July 5, 2021 | archive-date=January 20, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120114433/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-organs-transplant-hotspots-idUSL0142628820070806 | url-status=live }} However, a 2008 proclamation by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has markedly decreased the frequency and ease of the commercial organ trade industry in the Philippines.Delmonico, Francis L. 2009. "The implications of Istanbul Declaration on organ trafficking and transplant tourism." Current Opinion In Organ Transplantation 14, no. 2: 116–119.

In May 2023, Philippine authorities rescued more than 1,000 human trafficking victims. The victims were lured by job postings on social media that promised good paying jobs where they would then be trapped with armed guards that prevented them from leaving. The victims worked 18 hours a day performing cryptocurrency scams. The victims would meet people on Facebook and dating apps to then pretend to fall in love and take their money.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-05 |title=More Than 1,000 Trafficking Victims Rescued, Philippines Authorities Say |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/more-than-1-000-trafficking-victims-rescued-philippines-authorities-say-/7080533.html |access-date=2023-08-29 |website=VOA |language=en}}

Philippine law defines the worst forms of child labor as all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery; any use of a child in prostitution, pornography, or pornographic performances; any use of a child for illegal or illicit activities; and work that is hazardous, including nine hazardous categories. The law criminalizes trafficking of children for exploitation, including trafficking for sex tourism, prostitution, pornography, forced labor, and the recruitment of children into armed conflict. The law establishes the penalty of life imprisonment and a fine for trafficking violations involving children and provides for the confiscation of any proceeds derived from trafficking crimes.{{cite web|url=http://www.refworld.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/rwmain?page=topic&tocid=4565c22535&toid=4565c25f42b&docid=4aba3ec735&skip=0|title=Refworld – 2008 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor – Philippines|author=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees|work=Refworld|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402125032/http://www.refworld.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/rwmain?page=topic&tocid=4565c22535&toid=4565c25f42b&docid=4aba3ec735&skip=0|url-status=live}}

Ani Saguisag, a lawyer with the child protection group, ECPAT, identifies lax enforcement of RA 76/10 (sic—actually RA7610) as a major reason why so few offenders end up behind bars.

Department of Justice records show that from June 2003 until January 2005 there were 65 complaints received for alleged trafficking in persons violations in the entire nation.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080304124414/http://www.doj.gov.ph/news_06-07-05.html Statement On The 2005 Trafficking in Persons Report Of the US State Department] (archived from [http://www.doj.gov.ph/news_06-07-05.html the original] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080304124414/http://www.doj.gov.ph/news_06-07-05.html |date=March 4, 2008 }} on March 4, 2008)

In November 2009 The Philippine government signed into law of Republic Act 9775, also known as the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009, by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. This landmark legislation provides the full legal armor against producers, transmitters, sellers and users of child pornography in whatever form and means of production, dissemination and consumption, in public and private spaces.{{cite web|url=http://www.crin.org/violence/search/closeup.asp?infoID=21346|title=PHILIPPINES: Govt enacts law against child pornography|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=June 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613160915/http://crin.org/violence/search/closeup.asp?infoID=21346|url-status=live}}

Gemma Gabuya, chief of the DSWD's Social Technology Bureau, said the national government in a bid to address the problem had formed the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) in 2003 in partnership with civil society organizations and other stakeholders of PACT.

Microsoft has awarded over US$1 million through its Unlimited Potential grants to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) across six Asian countries, including the Philippines. The latest round of grants will deliver IT training courses specifically for people in human-trafficking hot spots across the region.

{{cite news

| title = Microsoft Partners With Asian NGOs To Fight Human Trafficking

| url=http://www.microsoft.com/asia/presscentre/20060616b.aspx

| publisher = ChinaCSR.com

|date= June 19, 2006

| access-date = December 19, 2006

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080118010816/http://www.microsoft.com/asia/presscentre/20060616b.aspx| archive-date = January 18, 2008}}

Unicef executive director Carol Bellamy stated, The Philippines is among the few countries that are making a dent in the fight against the trafficking of women and children.{{cite web|title=Global March Against Child Labour – From Exploitation to Education|url=http://www.globalmarch.org/clns/clns-april-2005-details.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051223075807/http://www.globalmarch.org/clns/clns-april-2005-details.php|archive-date=December 23, 2005}}

Some local politicians, mayors and their business cronies continue to allow the operation of clubs and bars where children are used as sexual commodities along with young women. Many women will tell how they were recruited as young as 13 and 14. They issue permits and licences for all establishments and harass and threaten those trying to rescue the children, gather evidence and bring charges against them.{{cite web|last=Cullen|first=Father Shay|title=Paper to Child Labor Coalition, Washington|url=http://www.preda.org/main/archives/1997/r9708011.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130415164225/http://www.preda.org/main/archives/1997/r9708011.htm|archive-date=April 15, 2013|access-date=June 11, 2013}} The United States Embassy in the Philippines states that some officials condone a climate of impunity for those that exploit trafficked women and children{{Cite web

|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2003/27786.htm

|title=Country Reports on Human Rights Practices – 2003

|date=February 25, 2004

|publisher=Embassy of the United States in Manila

|access-date=April 26, 2008

|journal=

|archive-date=March 30, 2021

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330143446/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2003/27786.htm

|url-status=live

}}

In 2007, the government's Interagency Council Against Trafficking established its first anti-trafficking task force at Manila's international airport to share information on traffickers and assist victims.

In 2006 the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) issued new employment requirements for overseas Filipino household workers to protect them from widespread employer abuse and trafficking.{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/2007/82806.htm|title=Country Narratives – Countries H through P|work=U.S. Department of State|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516200232/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/2007/82806.htm|url-status=live}}

The Interagency Council Against Trafficking and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas set up a trafficking hotline. The hotline received 2,487 calls which led to the identification of 18 victims and 34 trafficking cases. All victims were referred to services and law enforcement.{{Cite web |title=Philippines |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-trafficking-in-persons-report/philippines/ |access-date=2023-08-29 |website=United States Department of State |language=en-US}}

In December 2022, the Fourth National Strategic Plan Against Trafficking in Persons 2023-2027 was approved.

The Philippine government continues to rely heavily on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international organizations to provide services to victims.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

The Department of Social Welfare and Development operated 42 temporary shelters for victims throughout the country. Thirteen of these shelters were supported by a non-profit charity organization.

Philippines law permits private prosecutors to prosecute cases under the direction and control of a public prosecutor. The government has used this provision effectively, allowing and supporting an NGO to file 23 cases in 2007.

The Philippine campaign against Child Trafficking (PACT) is an anti-child trafficking campaign that was launched by ECPAT Philippines to raise awareness on the Child Trafficking phenomena in the country.

The campaign also aims to encourage local mechanisms for the prevention and protection of children against Child Trafficking as well as other programs which are unified with the intensification of the human rights of children such as the holistic recovery and reintegration of child victims of trafficking.{{cite news|title=ECPAT Philippines launches the anti-child trafficking campaign in the Philippines|url=http://www.childprotection.org.ph/whatshappening/whtbits1_decjanfeb04.html|access-date=June 11, 2013|date=February 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040228164806/http://www.childprotection.org.ph/whatshappening/whtbits1_decjanfeb04.html|archive-date=February 28, 2004}}

Stairway Foundation, a child protection NGO, came up in 2009 with its third animation film called Red Leaves Falling which is about child sex trafficking and pornography under the Break the Silence Campaign. The said film is being used by numerous government and non-government organizations to raise awareness on the issue of trafficking.{{cite web|url=http://www.stairwayfoundation.org/stairway/index.php/Animation-Film-Toolkits/red-leaves-falling-a-story-of-child-sex-trafficking.html|title=Red Leaves Falling – A Story of Child Sex Trafficking|author=Monica|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402151219/http://www.stairwayfoundation.org/stairway/index.php/Animation-Film-Toolkits/red-leaves-falling-a-story-of-child-sex-trafficking.html|archive-date=April 2, 2015}}

In 2010, the Office of the Ombudsman signed a memorandum of agreement with select cause-oriented groups – the Visayan Forum Foundation (VFF), Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC), and the International Justice Mission (IJM) – so that they could help in the collective fight against human trafficking.{{cite news|title=Groups unite against human trafficking|url=http://www.philstar.com/good-news/555272/groups-unite-against-human-trafficking|access-date=June 11, 2013|date=March 7, 2010|archive-date=June 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627033704/http://www.philstar.com/good-news/555272/groups-unite-against-human-trafficking|url-status=live}}

VFF has rescued and helped more than 32,000 victims and potential victims of trafficking since it was established in 1991.{{Cite web|url=https://share.america.gov/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731072329/http://www.america.gov/st/hr-english/2009/January/20090128141723ajesrom0.1934473.html&distid=ucs|title=Connect with America|website=ShareAmerica| archive-date=July 31, 2012 }}

VFF works with the Philippine coast guard, the government's Port Authority, and shipping company, Aboitez, to keep monitor arriving boats in the main ports, looking for possible traffickers traveling with groups of children.

The organization has operations in four main ports serving Manila, and says it rescues between 20 and 60 children a week.{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-child-trafficking-prevalent-throughout-southeast-asia-67390462/382777.html|title=Child Trafficking Prevalent Throughout Southeast Asia|work=VOA|date=October 29, 2009 |access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402091712/http://www.voanews.com/content/a-13-child-trafficking-prevalent-throughout-southeast-asia-67390462/382777.html|url-status=live}}

However, foreign sex traffickers and child molesters often harass Catholic and other groups by lodging multiple libel and other suits.{{cite news|title=Fighting the Child Sex Industry |url=http://www.preda.org/main/archives/2000/r00012901.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130620202938/http://www.preda.org/main/archives/2000/r00012901.html |archive-date=June 20, 2013 |newspaper=Manila Times |access-date=June 11, 2013 }}

In 1999 the PREDA Foundation, through the International League of Action, was able to bring to justice a group of Norwegians who were trafficking children from one town in the Philippines and bringing them to Oslo for sexual abuse. The youngest of these children were six and seven years old.{{cite news|last=Gonzalez |first=Ramon |title=Priest sets children free |url=http://www.wcr.ab.ca/news/2000/0515/frshaycullen051500.shtml |access-date=June 11, 2013 |newspaper=Western Catholic Reporter |date=May 15, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071216071422/http://www.wcr.ab.ca/news/2000/0515/frshaycullen051500.shtml |archive-date=December 16, 2007 }}

Numerous overseas countries have introduced legislation (e.g. the {{Cite Legislation AU|Cth|num_act|cstaa1994346|Crimes (Child Sex Tourism) Amendment Act 1994}}) which enables them to prosecute their nationals for crimes against children overseas, only a few child molesters who have committed offences in the Philippines are charged and convicted back in their own countries for the offences.{{cite web|last=Murphy|first=Padraic|title=Journey to despair|url=http://www.ecpat.org.nz/whatsnew-pacific10122003.html|access-date=June 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070118011636/http://www.ecpat.org.nz/whatsnew-pacific10122003.html|archive-date=January 18, 2007}}

The Australian Government set up the "Australian Federal Police's Transnational Sexual Exploitation Trafficking Team" which investigates child molesters in places such as the Philippines.

Some countries from which sex tourism originates, including Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United States, have passed legislation which criminalizes sex tourism.

In the United States, the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 makes travel with intent to engage in any sexual act with a juvenile punishable by up to ten years' imprisonment.{{cite web|url=http://www.equalitynow.org/take_action/sex-trafficking_action121|title=Sex Tourism: "Real sex with real girls, all for real cheap"|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=March 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322011906/http://www.equalitynow.org/take_action/sex-trafficking_action121|url-status=live}}

On September 15, 2003, the US Department of Labor / Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) / International Child Labor Program signed a collaborative agreement with the Philippines government, and contributed US$5 million, on a Timebound Program.

The Timebound Program covers sexual exploitation and trafficking of children for commercial sexual exploitation. The program was geared towards working in various parts of the Philippines.{{cite web|url=http://www.humantrafficking.org/countries/philippines/|title=HumanTrafficking.org – Philippines|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315043207/http://humantrafficking.org/countries/philippines|archive-date=March 15, 2015}}

The United States government provided a grant of 179,000 dollars to help a Philippine non-governmental organization expand its halfway house operations to help victims of human trafficking, according to a statement by the US Embassy in Manila.{{cite web|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metroregions/view/20060627-6842/NGO_gets_$179,000-US_grant_for_human_trafficking_victims|title=NGO gets $179,000-US grant for human trafficking victims – INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=March 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307020227/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metroregions/view/20060627-6842/NGO_gets_$179,000-US_grant_for_human_trafficking_victims|url-status=live}}

The British Embassy in Manila organised a two-week course led by Scotland Yard detectives into techniques to investigate cases of child abuse.

Subsequently, the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation set up an anti-child abuse division – the first squad dedicated to fighting child abuse in the country.

The United States has taken action under the 2003 PROTECT Act with a number of indictments.{{cite news|title=U.S. Getting Tougher on Child Sex Tourism|url=http://usinfo.state.gov/gi/Archive/2004/Nov/24-569238.html|access-date=June 11, 2013|date=November 23, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041127145727/http://usinfo.state.gov/gi/Archive/2004/Nov/24-569238.html|archive-date=November 27, 2004}}{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/Breaking-News/87yearold-man-jailed-for-sex-tourism/2005/03/29/1111862365237.html?oneclick=true|title=87-year-old man jailed for sex tourism|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=March 29, 2005|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924193700/http://www.smh.com.au/news/Breaking-News/87yearold-man-jailed-for-sex-tourism/2005/03/29/1111862365237.html?oneclick=true|url-status=live}}

The United States embassy in the Philippines involves itself in the prevention, prosecution, and protection of persons trafficked in the Philippines. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) supports the work of local organizations throughout the Philippines through training frontline workers, providing legal assistance to victims, and creating dialogue around the topic to raise awareness.{{Cite web |last=Manila |first=U. S. Embassy |date=2021-03-31 |title=Fact Sheet: U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Partners to Combat Trafficking in Persons |url=https://ph.usembassy.gov/fact-sheet-u-s-embassy-in-the-philippines-partners-to-combat-trafficking-in-persons/ |access-date=2023-08-29 |website=U.S. Embassy in the Philippines |language=en-US}}

Police in the Philippines have been known to guard brothels and even procure children for prostitution.{{cite web|title=Child Sex Tourism|url=http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/ceos/sextour.html|work=Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section|publisher=U.S. Department of Justice|access-date=June 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041029024519/http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/ceos/sextour.html|archive-date=October 29, 2004}} NGOs have complained that the local political and legal establishments protect child molesters, sometimes even including law enforcement.{{Cite web|url=http://www.preda.org/main/archives/1997/r9704151.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100518103543/http://www.preda.org/main/archives/1997/r9704151.htm|title=Preda Foundation, Inc. NEWS/ARTICLES: "Baby Rape and Sex Tourism"|archive-date=May 18, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://iwraw.igc.org/publications/countries/philippines.htm|title=IWRAW Home Page|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303182128/http://iwraw.igc.org/publications/countries/philippines.htm|url-status=live}}

The United States Embassy in the Philippines states that some officials condone a climate of impunity for those that exploited trafficked women and children.{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2003/27786.htm|title=Philippines|work=U.S. Department of State|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=March 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330143446/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2003/27786.htm|url-status=live}}

{{essay-like|section|date=June 2020}}

Those involved in the kidnapping of children have occasionally made video tapes of children being sexually abused.{{cn|date=August 2022}}

The UN paper{{clarify|date=August 2022}} says there are also cases in which the children are "kidnapped, trafficked across borders or from rural to urban areas, and moved from place to place so that they effectively disappear".{{cite web|

url=http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/50/101.html|title=Losing the Fight Against Child Sex Trade|website=hartford-hwp|date=July 10, 1998}}{{better source needed|daate=August 2, 2022|reason=see [http://www.hartford-hwp.com/ this] and [https://www.ipsdb.com/ this].|date=August 2022}}

Children are at risk of HIV/AIDS from child molesters.{{cite web|title=Patriarchy, Poverty, Prostitution And Hiv/Aids: The Philippine Experience|url=http://catw-ap.org/patri.htm|access-date=June 11, 2013|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070908103015/http://catw-ap.org/patri.htm|archive-date=September 8, 2007}}

The prevalence of gonorrhea and chlamydia was 18.6% and 29.1% respectively.[http://dspace.cigilibrary.org/jspui/bitstream/123456789/8198/1/Enhanced%20STI%20Control%20in%20Angeles%20City%20Philippines.pdf?1 Microsoft Word – Nexus-Printdraft _11-20-02_-FINAL.doc]

Philippine law provides for compulsory HIV testing in some circumstances, and of course people may voluntarily be tested for AIDS. The Philippine government has provided a mechanism for anonymous HIV testing and guarantees anonymity and medical confidentiality in the conduct of such tests.{{cite web|url=http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno8504.htm|title=PHILIPPINE LAWS, STATUTES & CODES – CHAN ROBLES VIRTUAL LAW LIBRARY|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=December 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221094623/http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno8504.htm|url-status=live}}

In the exploitative system of prostitution, bar owners and pimps make the most profit while the women are exposed to abuse, physical, emotional and psychological trauma.

The absence of punitive measures for the male customers enables them to abuse the women in prostitution.

The problem is compounded by the fact that society, even the church, discriminates against women in prostitution.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2005/03/29/SCTY2005032931647.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070330181243/http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2005/03/29/SCTY2005032931647.html|title=:: Welcome to Manila Bulletin Online ::|website=Manila Bulletin |archive-date=March 30, 2007}}

Pimps bend the girls to their will, drug them. Degrading and humiliating the girls is at the discretion of their international clients. After two, three years the girls have lost their health and beauty. From then on, they are on offer at bargain price to local clients. The humiliation these girls have to go through often drives them into self-destruction. With no self-esteem their lives are on a dead-end journey. With drug addiction, unwanted pregnancies, venereal disease and AIDS the girls go to rack and ruin.{{cite web|title=Girls' rehabilitation in Cebu City – Philippines|url=http://www.k-i-d-s.org/project.php?subid=3|access-date=June 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929070317/http://www.k-i-d-s.org/project.php?subid=3|archive-date=September 29, 2007}}

At least 90 percent of HIV positive people in Angeles City were female sex workers, according to a study of the Training, Research and Information for Development Specialists Foundation Inc. (Tridev).{{cite web|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20080418-131104/Angeles-City-gets-priority-in-funding-program-for-AIDS|title=Angeles City gets priority in funding program for AIDS – INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926011952/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20080418-131104/Angeles-City-gets-priority-in-funding-program-for-AIDS|archive-date=September 26, 2012}}

A special BBC investigation exposes the organized crime syndicates that control the child sex slavery trafficking in the Philippines.

The investigation reported there could be as many as 100,000 Philippine children involved in the local sex trade. This crime gang has a system similar to that of the Sicilian Mafia, Yakuza and Triads. They often start as a trainee field recruiter, to running individual brothels, and then to overseeing an entire network – an underworld association.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6507495.stm | work=BBC News | title='Chairman' reveals seedy world of trafficking | date=April 1, 2007 | access-date=May 4, 2010 | archive-date=December 25, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091225171757/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6507495.stm | url-status=live }} Local NGO`S refer to the organized crime syndicates as the sex mafia.{{cite web|title=Quick Facts: Human Trafficking in the Philippines|date=December 21, 2013 |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/340851/newstv/reeltime/quick-facts-human-trafficking-in-the-philippines|access-date=December 21, 2013|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924134141/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/340851/newstv/reeltime/quick-facts-human-trafficking-in-the-philippines|url-status=live}}

From the Philippines, girls are delivered to prison-like brothels in the North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.{{cite web|url=http://www.globalpolicy.org/component/content/article/218/46329.html|title=Sex Slavery: International Steps are Needed|author=Administrator|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=April 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403082846/https://www.globalpolicy.org/component/content/article/218/46329.html|url-status=live}}

{{Quotation|

Vagrants and prostitutes; penalty. — The following are vagrants:

:1. Any person having no apparent means of subsistence, who has the physical ability to work and who neglects to apply himself or herself to some lawful calling;

:2. Any person found loitering about public or semi-public buildings or places or trampling or wandering about the country or the streets without visible means of support;

:3. Any idle or dissolute person who ledges in houses of ill fame; ruffians or pimps and those who habitually associate with prostitutes;

:4. Any person who, not being included in the provisions of other articles of this Code, shall be found loitering in any inhabited or uninhabited place belonging to another without any lawful or justifiable purpose;

:5. Prostitutes.

For the purposes of this article, women who, for money or profit, habitually indulge in sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct, are deemed to be prostitutes.

Any person found guilty of any of the offenses covered by this articles shall be punished by arresto menor or a fine not exceeding 200 pesos, and in case of recidivism, by arresto mayor in its medium period to prison correccional in its minimum period or a fine ranging from 200 to 2,000 pesos, or both, in the discretion of the court.

}}

Penal Code article 341 imposes a penalty to any person who "shall engage in the business or shall profit by prostitution or shall enlist the services of any other person for the purpose of prostitution."{{cite web

| url = http://www.chanrobles.com/revisedpenalcodeofthephilippinesbook2.htm

| title = Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, Book 2

| access-date = December 19, 2006

| publisher = Chanrobles Law Library

| archive-date = October 2, 2009

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091002063041/http://www.chanrobles.com/revisedpenalcodeofthephilippinesbook2.htm

| url-status = live

}}

Section 4 of Republic Act 9208, otherwise known as the "Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003", deems it unlawful for any person, natural or juridical, to commit any of the following acts:

{{Quotation|

(a) To recruit, transport, transfer, harbor, provide, or receive a person by any means, including those done under the pretext of domestic or overseas employment or training or apprenticeship, for the purpose of prostitution, pornography, sexual exploitation, forced labor, slavery, involuntary servitude or debt bondage;

(b) To introduce or match for money, profit, or material, economic or other consideration, any person or, as provided for under Republic Act No. 6955, any Filipino women to a foreign national, for marriage for the purpose of acquiring, buying, offering, selling or trading him/her to engage in prostitution, pornography, sexual exploitation, forced labor, slavery, involuntary servitude or debt bondage;

(c) To offer or contract marriage, real or simulated, for the purpose of acquiring, buying, offering, selling, or trading them to engage in prostitution, pornography, sexual exploitation, forced labor or slavery, involuntary servitude or debt bondage;

(d) To undertake or organize tours and travel plans consisting of tourism packages or activities for the purpose of utilizing and offering persons for prostitution, pornography or sexual exploitation;

(e) To maintain or hire a person to engage in prostitution or pornography;

(f) To adopt or facilitate the adoption of persons for the purpose of prostitution, pornography, sexual exploitation, forced labor, slavery, involuntary servitude or debt bondage;

(g) To recruit, hire, adopt, transport or abduct a person, by means of threat or use of force, fraud deceit, violence, coercion, or intimidation for the purpose of removal or sale of organs of said person; and

(h) To recruit, transport or adopt a child to engage in armed activities in the Philippines or abroad.{{cite web

| url = http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno9208.html

| title = Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003

| access-date = 2006-12-19

| publisher = Chanrobles Law Library

| archive-date = March 30, 2019

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190330044008/http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno9208.html

| url-status = live

}}

}}

{{anchor|RA7610}}

{{Quotation|

Sec. 5. Child Prostitution and Other Sexual Abuse. – Children, whether male or female, who for money, profit, or any other consideration or due to the coercion or influence of any adult, syndicate or group, indulge in sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct, are deemed to be children exploited in prostitution and other sexual abuse.

The penalty of reclusion temporal in its medium period to reclusion perpetua shall be imposed upon the following:

:(a) Those who engage in or promote, facilitate or induce child prostitution which include, but are not limited to, the following:

::(1) Acting as a procurer of a child prostitute;

::(2) Inducing a person to be a client of a child prostitute by means of written or oral advertisements or other similar means;

::(3) Taking advantage of influence or relationship to procure a child as prostitute;

::(4) Threatening or using violence towards a child to engage him as a prostitute; or

::(5) Giving monetary consideration goods or other pecuniary benefit to a child with intent to engage such child in prostitution.

:(b) Those who commit the act of sexual intercourse of lascivious conduct with a child exploited in prostitution or subject to other sexual abuse; Provided, That when the victims is under twelve (12) years of age, the perpetrators shall be prosecuted under Article 335, paragraph 3, for rape and Article 336 of Act No. 3815, as amended, the Revised Penal Code, for rape or lascivious conduct, as the case may be: Provided, That the penalty for lascivious conduct when the victim is under twelve (12) years of age shall be reclusion temporal in its medium period; and

:(c) Those who derive profit or advantage therefrom, whether as manager or owner of the establishment where the prostitution takes place, or of the sauna, disco, bar, resort, place of entertainment or establishment serving as a cover or which engages in prostitution in addition to the activity for which the license has been issued to said establishment.

Sec. 6. Attempt To Commit Child Prostitution. – There is an attempt to commit child prostitution under Section 5, paragraph (a) hereof when any person who, not being a relative of a child, is found alone with the said child inside the room or cubicle of a house, an inn, hotel, motel, pension house, apartelle or other similar establishments, vessel, vehicle or any other hidden or secluded area under circumstances which would lead a reasonable person to believe that the child is about to be exploited in prostitution and other sexual abuse.

There is also an attempt to commit child prostitution, under paragraph (b) of Section 5 hereof when any person is receiving services from a child in a sauna parlor or bath, massage clinic, health club and other similar establishments. A penalty lower by two (2) degrees than that prescribed for the consummated felony under Section 5 hereof shall be imposed upon the principals of the attempt to commit the crime of child prostitution under this Act, or, in the proper case, under the Revised Penal Code.{{cite web

| url = http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno7610.html

| title = Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act

| access-date = 2006-12-19

| publisher = Chanrobles Law Library

| archive-date = December 16, 2006

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061216133640/http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno7610.html

| url-status = live

}}

}}

RA 6955 basically declares as unlawful "the practice of matching Filipino women for marriage to foreign nationals on a mail order basis."

RA 8042 (Long title: An Act to Institute the Policies of Overseas Employment and Establish a Higher Standard of Protection and Promotion of The Welfare of Migrant Workers, Their Families and Overseas Filipinos in Distress, and for Other Purposes.) The act contains provisions which regulate the recruitment of overseas workers; mandate establishment of a mechanism for free legal assistance for victims of illegal recruitment; direct all embassies and consular offices to issue travel advisories or disseminate information on labor and employment conditions, migration realities and other facts; regulate repatriation of workers in ordinary cases and provide a mechanism for repatriation in extraordinary cases; mandate establishment of a Migrant Workers and Other Overseas Filipinos Resource Center to provide social services to returning worker and other migrants; mandate the establishment of a Migrant Workers Loan Guarantee Fund to provide pre-departure and family assistance loans; establishes a legal assistance fund for migrant workers; and other provisions related to Filipino migrant workers. The act, approved on June 7, 1995, mandates that pursuant to the objectives of deregulation the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall, within a period of five (5) years, phase-out the regulatory functions of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).{{cite web

| url = http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno8042.htm

| title = Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995

| publisher = Chanrobles Law Library

| access-date = December 19, 2006

| archive-date = February 3, 2007

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070203151654/http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno8042.htm

| url-status = live

}}

House of Representatives of the Philippines Citizen's Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) Reps. Emmanuel Joel Villanueva and Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales, on September 24, filed House Resolution No. 779 to intensify the fight against human trafficking on all levels, from legislation, policy formulation, enforcement and prosecution, to rehabilitation and support for victims. Villanueva said: "Human trafficking is fast becoming a major transnational crime next only to the illegal drugs trade and illegal arms trade. Most of the victims of trafficking are being exploited as commercial sex workers, forced laborers and even unwilling organ donors. We must consider the reports of the victims that lack of funds and resources are key problems in the full implementation of the Anti-Trafficking of Persons Act, including the necessary support and protection." The National Bureau of Investigation (Philippines) reported "more than 400,000 persons from both government and non-government organizations who are victims of trafficking and almost 100,000 of these victims are children." Cruz-Gonzales said: "As of last year, only a little over a thousand cases were officially reported."{{cite web|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/122523/news/nation/lawmakers-want-house-probe-on-rising-human-trafficking-incidents-in-rp|title=Lawmakers want House probe on rising human trafficking incidents in RP|work=GMA News Online|date=September 24, 2008 |access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402103813/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/122523/news/nation/lawmakers-want-house-probe-on-rising-human-trafficking-incidents-in-rp|url-status=live}}

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has designated human Trafficking as a crime against humanity.{{cite web|url=http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/what-is-human-trafficking.html|title=What is Human Trafficking?|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=November 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101055423/https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/what-is-human-trafficking.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.childtrafficking.org/cgi-bin/ct/main.sql?file=view_document.sql&TITLE=-1&AUTHOR=-1&THESAURO=-1&ORGANIZATION=-1&TOPIC=-1&GEOG=-1&YEAR=-1&LISTA=No&COUNTRY=-1&FULL_DETAIL=Yes&ID=2312|title=Child Trafficking|access-date=March 15, 2015|archive-date=September 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923202735/http://www.childtrafficking.org/cgi-bin/ct/main.sql?file=view_document.sql&TITLE=-1&AUTHOR=-1&THESAURO=-1&ORGANIZATION=-1&TOPIC=-1&GEOG=-1&YEAR=-1&LISTA=No&COUNTRY=-1&FULL_DETAIL=Yes&ID=2312}}{{cite web|url=http://japan2.usembassy.gov/e/p/tp-20080123-03.html|title=Japan's Fight against Modern-Day Slavery (Part I)|last=Hansen|first=Scott|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308152916/http://japan2.usembassy.gov/e/p/tp-20080123-03.html|archive-date=March 8, 2013|access-date=June 11, 2013}}

In 2002, the International Criminal Court (ICC) was established in The Hague (Netherlands) and the Rome Statute provides for the ICC to have jurisdiction over crimes against humanity. For the purpose of this Statute, "crime against humanity" means any of the following acts when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, with knowledge of the attack:[http://www.preventgenocide.org/law/icc/statute/part-a.htm#2 Rome statute of the International Criminal Court] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513134414/http://www.preventgenocide.org/law/icc/statute/part-a.htm#2 |date=May 13, 2015 }} Article 7: Crimes against humanity.

{{Quotation|

:(a) Murder;

:(b) Extermination;

:(c) Enslavement;

:(d) Deportation or forcible transfer of population;

:(e) Imprisonment or other severe deprivation of physical liberty in violation of fundamental rules of international law;

:(f) Torture;

:(g) Rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, enforced sterilization, or any other form of sexual violence of comparable gravity;

:(h) Persecution against any identifiable group or collectivity on political, racial, national, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender as defined in paragraph 3, or other grounds that are universally recognized as impermissible under international law, in connection with any act referred to in this paragraph or any crime within the jurisdiction of the Court;

:(i) Enforced disappearance of persons;

:(j) The crime of apartheid;

:(k) Other inhumane acts of a similar character intentionally causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or to mental or physical health.}}

• Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003
• Violence against women in the Philippines

{{reflist|30em}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDj0787C9qw Fallen Angels; The True Cost of sex Tourism in the Philippines/2016]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070518231821/http://www.humantrafficking.org/countries/philippines/helplines Humantrafficking.org, Places to report Human Trafficking in the Philippines]
• [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6507495.stm BBC Investigation Into Organized Crime Control of the Sex Slavery Trade in the Philippines]

{{Philippines topics}}

Philippines

Philippines

Category:Human rights abuses in the Philippines

Category:Organized crime activity