Sex workers flock to Jolo for US troops

LURED by the prospects of earning more from American soldiers participating in the joint Philippine-US humanitarian mission here, commercial sex workers have arrived in this conservative Muslim province, officials said Thursday.

Acting Mayor Alkramer Izquierdo said the presence of prostituted women here had been observed as early as December last year following media reports about the planned Balikatan mission.

"It has become our greatest concern. My office is being flooded with complaints and petitions from residents near the military camp," Izquierdo told the Inquirer.

He said the complaints had been investigated and found to be valid.

Videoke bars featuring scantily dressed women have suddenly sprouted near the camp, where the American soldiers would be staying, Izquierdo said.

About 200 US soldiers will be participating in the month-long humanitarian mission starting this month.

"I support the Balikatan, but we also fear the negative impact of prostitution in our town," Izquierdo said.

Retired Army Major Roberto Parayno, president of the Tabak village association, said that from 21 in November, the number of commercial sex workers here increased to about 100.

"Some of our female teenagers were being mistaken for prostitutes and our teachers could no longer make their lesson plans at night due to noise coming from the videoke bars," Parayno said.

He said it was a sad thing that instead of curbing the trade, several military personnel were even acting as pimps for the sex workers.

"Most of these women came from Pagadian City, Dipolog City, and Zamboanga City and the majority of them are very young," Parayno said. (PDI Mindanao Bureau)