Hontiveros alleges menu of sex services, trafficked women for Chinese POGO workers

January 28, 2020

Filipino girls, as well as trafficked Chinese women, are victims in the recent rise of prostitution dens catering to Chinese nationals residing in the country, revealed Senator Risa Hontiveros in a hearing on Tuesday.

"We cannot become the nest of Chinese prostitution dens," said Hontiveros, who led the investigation on the rescues of Philippine Offshore Gambling Operators (POGO)-related sexual trafficking victims in Metro Manila, in a statement.

Among the rescued is alias Carina, 15 years old, who testified in the hearing.

The girl, among other Filipina women prior their rescue, was kept by a Chinese national in a house in Makati.

The woman primarily serviced a Chinese clientele, and were paid at least P6,000 per job, an amount that increases if they were asked to spend the night or perform extra services, but half of which went to their Chinese handler.

Hontiveros' investigation also showed photos of trafficked Chinese women, that is passed around through messaging apps Telegram and WeChat.

The messages revealed the services offered that were primarily sexual in nature.

In light of these revelations, Hontiveros called for the Bureau of Immigration to suspend its Visa Upon Arrival (VUA) program for Chinese nationals, a scheme that has readily assisted the rise of Chinese criminals in the country.

"We need to suspend the Visa Upon Arrival scheme for Chinese nationals," she declared.

Hontiveros urged the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police to conduct an immediate crackdown on POGO-related prostitution dens across the Philippines.

"Even our countrywomen and youth are being victimized,'' Hontiveros declared.

Hontiveros is studying the suspension of all POGO operations in the country, while reviewing the economic implications as well as ensuring that there are safety nets in place to protect our women and children.

"We have to act. We need to look into suspending POGO operations because they attract criminals into our country," Hontiveros said. DMS