Slavery was outlawed in the Philippines in 1591, however, this did not stop exploitation by the Spanish colonists. It is believed that some Filipino women were sold as “exotic sex objects” for work in European brothels. A prosperous slave trade was established in the late 1500s between the Philippines, Spain, and the Caribbean. There is a long history of sex work and prostitution in the Philippines that goes as far back as the 1500s. Law enforcement turns a blind eye, and often accept bribes from sex workers in the form of sexual favors in order for their continued compliance with the industry.Ī Short History of Prostitution in the Philippines Selling or paying for sex is actually illegal in the Philippines, however sex workers will be employed as a number of different roles that fall under ‘Entertainment’. Sex tourism is mainly clustered around the major cities however, its effects are felt countrywide where women and children are often forced or coerced away from their rural communities to work in the cities. Whilst finding exact numbers can be difficult, most sources estimate that 500,000 to 800,000 men, women and children are working in the sex trade in the Philippines.
