Thread: Philippines row over sex tourism remark by US envoy

The US ambassador to the Philippines, Harry Thomas, has apologised for saying that 40% of male tourists visit the country for sex.

His remark during a conference last month led to a local outcry, with officials unhappy at their country being portrayed as a sex haven.

The US embassy confirmed Mr Thomas had now expressed regret for his comments.

In a text message to a Philippine minister, he said he should not have used the statistic without proof.

BBC News - Philippines row over sex tourism remark by US envoy


International diplomacy by SMS? What is wrong with twitter

An incredibly stupid comment for an Ambassador to make, especially with absolutely no statistical proof. I'm not saying that this place isn't awash with sex tourists, just that the Ambassador should have known better. How he thought he was going to get away with a statement like that, in a country this sensitive about their international image, escapes me totally.

Surprisingly low.

Surely it's almost double that.

^Perhaps they're all here for the temples. Or fine dining. Or great shopping. Or not.

Anything but the truth!! I thought that was what diplomats did best???

Yeah, 60% of male tourists aren't there for the fillapussy.

Originally Posted by Chairman Mao

Yeah, 60% of male tourists aren't there for the fillapussy.

Yea, so if we discount the back door men I wonder what the 1% er does with himself ?

Davis?

As with Thailand the greater majority journey there with sex in mind. Diplomats though are not there to tell the truth so he is guilty as charged.
Of course wives and family back in our home countries are given a different reason for journeying there and that makes sense of course.

Reminds me of the remark a former Japanese 'Minister of Tourism' made publicly, stating that they disliked foreigners. His resignation was tendered immediately...

I first travelled to the Filipine's with absolutely no intention of having sex, but I ended up having loads. And loads.

Hmm sabang r u sure you posted this in the right thread? Reckon it might be better in the worst lie thread haha.

Sad to see the kind of jackass the American Government chooses to appoint as a diplomat. Must either be a religious fanatic or one of those femi-men.

He said the truth. He forgot to say that the Philippine people fuck like dogs and can't feed themselves. He didn't mention how corrupt the people are and that the church in the Philippines full of horse shit. Anything else he forgot?

Originally Posted by Hampsha

He said the truth. He forgot to say that the Philippine people fuck like dogs and can't feed themselves. He didn't mention how corrupt the people are and that the church in the Philippines full of horse shit. Anything else he forgot?

If the ambassador was a little more liquored-up, he might also have mentioned rampant crime, bad cuisine, the Pinoy Blockbuster Channel, ubiquitous rats, mudslides, leptospirosis and leaky ferry boats. And I'm sure that this list has only scratched the surface.

Might add into the mix of weird shit that the age of sexual consent in the Philippines is TWELVE - one of the lowest in the world. Wonder if that helps to make little kids objects of sexual interest? Country totally dominated by the Catholic church, age of consent 12, and contraception illegal - a sure recipe for disaster. But, it will keep them barefoot, pregnant, and impoverished - just the way the church likes 'em......

Met many guys in Phills and in if you take away the pussy doubt a single one would have stayed more than a week or two. No one flies 24 hours unless he is getting some pussy. Goes double for Thailand.

Davis as no doubt you are aware as well some impoverished parents will sell their youngsters to foreigner paedophiles.I chased a couple of these scumbags out of Talisay when I realised what they were up to.
In the 35 years since I first visited the Philippines they have hardly moved in providing opportunities for those in the lower socio economic level.
Corruption at every level is still accepted and will not change in our life time if ever.There are of course some good people there but their chances of improving their lot depends on how they play the corrupt system.
I have to go to Cebu a few times a year to check on my business but aside from that I see no joy there.Obviously you have carved a niche for yourself with a good partner but you are in the minority, as eventually as it did with me it wears you down.

^Very true. Corruption rules, and destroys what could be a wonderful country. The few rich revel in keeping the masses downtrodden to protect their privileges, which they see as rights. What has always amazed me, both here and in Thailand, is the apathy of the masses, who appear to devote very little effort to attempting to change the very system that enslaves them. They simply accept it as their lot in life. My wife and I try in many small ways to alleviate the suffering of the few we can help, but there are so many in need here, and absolutely no social programs of any sort as the rich simply try to get richer at the expense of their countrymen. There is no hope that this country will ever change unless there is a total revolution, and a resulting redistribution of land and wealth - and the expulsion of the Catholic church. If they didn't speak English (a marketable skill which diminishes annually) and thus have the ability to do menial work abroad, the country would collapse in a week without remittances from abroad. And, fortunately for them, they have a never-ending supply of good-looking daughters to sell off, or marry off, so they can sit on the porch and drink and play cards. It is indeed hard to not get depressed at times.

Agree 100% Davis, I did my bit, Westernized a small sweat shop,no workers under 17 years of age,above award salaries etc etc.
It was never ending on a personal scale, supported my previous two wives(not at the same time) families and got them to Australia only to be dudded to the tune of about 700,000 aud in the end.
As much as Marcos was criticized if one reads the history books he did realize that progress was not going to be made with the political system they had.
They deny vote buying takes place, but as you would well know it occurs blatantly.
Judges can be bought,under the table payments ar ethe norm to get anything processed reasonably through any Govt office.
Priests flout their own rules by having Mistresses and the wealthy can procure any female they fancy.
The rich get richer and the poor as is always the case get poorer and revert to any means to get money to feed their families.
Prostitution is rampant and not only in the visible far scene as is the case in Cebu but in Casa's that are known to any taxi driver where literally thousands of young women are in virtual sex slavery.
Drugs are readily available and the dealers pay kickbacks to the dealers.
Even snatchers are well known by the local police but because they also get kickbacks they are allowed to operate in known areas.
Responsibility is never taken on board it is always someone elses fault, and the pride they all think they have a right to is false and not earned.
OK thats enough as you can see my frustration is still there as the situation will not change as the people in power would not have control if it did.A terrible shame for a supposedly Western influenced educated country.

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

they have a never-ending supply of good-looking daughters to sell off, or marry off,

It is what The Phills is all about, otherwise no one would go there. Plenty of nicer, closer places to scuba dive or go to a nice beach.

90% of ambassador taking office in Phils agree to cum over coz they will easyly revive their sexual life.

hmmmm not sure where the proof of that statistic got lost, sorry....