MANILA (AFP) - Forty per cent of foreign men visiting the Philippines are sex tourists, the United States ambassador in Manila said on Thursday in comments that were quickly disputed by the government.
US ambassador Harry Thomas told a forum of Filipino judges and officials that corrupt officials were involved in a very visible sex trade, and challenged the legal profession to eliminate the 'scourge'.
'We know that 40 per cent of foreign men who come to the Philippines, including from the US, come for sexual tourism. That is not something I'm proud of. That's not something you should be proud of,' Mr Thomas said.
He highlighted a high profile string of karaoke bars and clubs along Roxas Boulevard, one of Manila's main roads on which the US embassy is also located, alleging they were infamous sex establishments. 'Corruption allows these notorious establishments to continue to operate. Local officials will look the other way or accept favours. These officials are doubly guilty,' he said without naming any specific officials.
