MANILA – The increasing number of foreign sex workers in the country has been alarming, according to Sen. Leila de Lima, as she urged authorities to intensify its crackdown against human trafficking syndicates.
De Lima raised the alarm following the recent rescue of several foreign women who were forced to work as sex workers in nightclubs and bars in various parts of the country.
“It is imperative for the authorities to step up their campaign against syndicates trafficking foreign women into the country and forcing them to work as sex workers. We cannot let this practice to continue,” de Lima said.
Two Chinese nationals were recently arrested and six Vietnamese nationals were rescued during an anti-human trafficking entrapment and rescue operations in Makati City.
Last month, elements of the Manila Police District arrested nine Russian women and one Kazakh woman working as “bar girls” at a Malate nightclub for lack of work and health permits.
Police also rescued six female Chinese nationals and their supposed handler during a raid of “prostitution den” in Lapu-Lapu City last month following a tip from an informant who noticed the frequent visits of foreigners in the area.
De Lima said the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Immigration must work together closely to put a stop to this illegal activity.
“If not acted upon immediately, the Philippines could become the next haven for trafficking and prostitution of foreign women,” said de Lima./PN
