US Soldiers are Liable for Violation of RP Laws in Balikatan-related Prostitution - Maza

“US troops who patronize prostituted women are liable under Philippine laws. This should be immediately investigated and US servicemen should be prosecuted.”

This was the statement of Assistant Minority leader and Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Liza Maza over reports that US soldiers in Bicol were supplied with women nightly.

“This is a public crime and under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 (RA 9208), any person who buys or engages the services of trafficked persons for prostitution shall be penalized,” said Maza.

Furthermore, Maza said that under Sec.10 of the same law, an offender who is a foreigner shall be immediately deported after serving his sentence and be barred permanently from entering the country.

“At the height of the US military bases in the Philipines, around 50,000 women have been prostituted in Olongapo and Angeles City from 1985-1991. Many of these women were trafficked from poor provinces like Samar and Bicol. The presence of US bases has institutionalized prostitution and sex trafficking in the country through the Rest and Recreation industry that primarily catered to US troops,” Maza stressed.

The Gabriela solon expressed alarm that as long as the US-RP VFA is in place, US troops who violate Philippine laws will again run scot-free.