Philippines

Encyclopedia of Homosexuality http://www.sexarchive.info/IES/

The Philippines, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines, is a sovereign island country in Southeast Asia situated in the western Pacific Ocean. It consists of 7,107 islands that are categorized broadly under three main geographical divisions: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Its capital city is Manila while its most populous city is Quezon City; both are part of Metro Manila. The age of consent in the Philippines is 12 (18 for money, profit or other consideration under the influence of an adult).

The Philippines is currently the only Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member that explicitly mentions sex tourism in its legislation. Trafficking in children attracts a penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of two to five million pesos. Some migrants from countries such as Australia who seek to have sex with children assume employment as teachers, tutors and other occupations. They may also infiltrate more isolated communities, rent houses, employ local domestic staff, and build the trust of local community members. According to the Anti-Rape Law (Republic Act 8353), statutory rape is committed against a girl under 12 years of age. There is no such provision covering boys.

Sexual arrangements in informal markets may see children performing both sex labor and non-sex labor for patrons. Alternatively, tourists may integrate into communities and obtain child sex through systematic gift giving.

The Philippines justice system allows for entrapment.

Travel restrictions

In 2014, the Bureau of Immigration announced, "Foreign nationals who are registered sex offenders in other countries are not welcome to visit the Philippines." The Philippines Immigration Act excludes aliens from entry who are persons "who have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude" or are "coming for any immoral purposes".