U.S. ENVOY: 40% OF MALE TOURISTS HERE FOR SEX
MANILA, SEPTEMBER 24, 2011 (STANDARD) by Jeremiah F. de Guzman - A TOURISM official on Thursday disputed a remark attributed to US Ambassador Harry Thomas that 40 percent of foreign men who visit the Philippines do so for sex.
"I'm not sure where he got that info," Tourism Assistant Secretary Bong Bengzon said.
"Research material of the [Tourism Department] show that the main motivation is different. Our visitors come her for shopping, sight-seeing and adventure.
"Sixty-six percent of our visitors have shopping as their main activity, followed by sight-seeing. Definitely, sex tourism is not part of our program thrust. Ambassador Thomas' statement has no basis. The Philippines is a very wholesome destination."
Earlier, Thomas addressed a round-table discussion among Court of Appeals justices on the problem of human trafficking.
"We know that 40 percent of foreign men who come to the Philippines, including from the US, come for sexual tourism," GMA News quoted him as saying.
"That is not something I'm proud of. That's something you should not be proud of.
"I told [Justice] Secretary Leila de Lima that any American caught engaged in any of these crimes or cybersex should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and we will assist."
The quote was a departure from the prepared remarks posted on the US Embassy Web site, where Thomas urged the justices to use their findings to strengthen the country's law against human trafficking.
He called human trafficking "nothing less than slavery," and said 80 percent of the transnational trafficking victims were women and girls.
"These victims place a powerful call for justice to all of us, and those victims urgently need our help," Thomas said.
He offered Washington's support and partnership in the country's efforts to combat human trafficking.
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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