To your comment about the stealing/pillaging of resources:

The disputed region in the West Philippine Sea is extremely profitable. It contains vast and viable petrochemical and gas deposits; rich marine biodiversity; and sea lanes that facilitate much of the global trade and shipping for the entire region. On top of all that, it is a prime location for military positioning in the region.

U.S. govt. looks to secure the interests of multi-national agribusiness, mining, energy and other corporations; the family dynasties that hold political power; wealthy landowners who profit off the exploitation of the natural resources and labor of the Filipino people.

What do you consider the Trans-Pacific Partnership(TPP)?

To your comment about Prostitution:

Prostitution/Sex Trafficking, a form of modern-day slavery, violates women’s right to life, liberty, and security of person. The fundamental individual right to life, liberty and security of person is reflected in Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

Human trafficking is a modern form of slavery, which involves the “recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of threat, use of force or other forms of coercion, for the purpose of exploitation”

Prostitution is NOT by mutual agreement. In the Philippines, ‘red light districts’ are promoted and considered government-designated zones. Local Authorities clearly promote the trade.

As you drive into Olongapo City (near Subic Bay Freeport Zone), the welcome sign reads, ‘Olongapo City: Home of the Most Beautiful Women in the World’.

This city is seemingly entirely dependent on the sex industry. There are visibly lots of women, and girls (minors) and lots of pimps on the streets.

How can this not be considered coercion? Is this not pressure to enter prostitution in those government-designated zones?

People do not freely decide to become prostitutes. In some cases, they are driven to the profession by desperation and a lack of other opportunities for employment. In other cases, they are forced into prostitution by others.

Lacking economic opportunities in the Philippines, gender role socialization, and family dynamics make Filipinos especially vulnerable to sex/human trafficking crimes.