PHL addressing US concerns on human trafficking - Palace

Malacañang assured the public Friday that it is taking necessary measures to stop the trafficking of women and children in the country following the statement of US Ambassador Harry Thomas that 40 percent of male foreign tourists come to Philippines for sex. The Department of Tourism has disputed Thomas’ claim. In a statement, the DOT said the statistics mentioned by Thomas “are not what our official stats reflect." “DOT statistics show that shopping and sight seeing are the dominant activities for both male and female tourist," the agency said. "Good, clean, fun excitement" Speaking before a round-table discussion among Court of Appeals magistrates in Manila on Thursday, Thomas said it was unacceptable but "we know that 40 percent of foreign men who come to the Philippines, including from the US, come for sexual tourism." Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said foreign tourists who “are coming for darker reasons" are unwelcome. “(W)e don’t need your business," she said. “Pinaigting na po natin iyong paglaban sa trafficking. Even the US State Department has upgraded our status from watchlist to Tier 2," Valte said at a press briefing. “The Philippines is a beautiful country. Although we would like to see the number of tourist arrivals increase, we would want that our tourist, that our friends come here for the right reasons," she said. “You are welcome to the Philippines anytime for good, clean fun excitement," Valte added. — ERL/VS, GMA News