Brosas wants probe of local police allegedly giving FBI agents sex workers in Manila

Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas has called for an investigation after the New York Times reported that members of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation paid for or accepted sex with prostitutes while socializing "with each other and with the police" in countries including the Philippines from 2009 to 2018.

The report, citing a document from the US Department of Justice, said that during an event in Manila in 2018, "FBI employees accepted prostitutes paid for by a local law enforcement agency."

“We demand that all perpetrators—both the foreign agents and our local police who facilitated this abuse and exploitation—be held accountable to the fullest extent of our laws," said Brosas, who is running for senator under the Makabayan ticket.

"Hindi dapat palagpasin ang ganitong karumal-dumal na pagsasamantala sa ating kababaihan," she added.

(This heinous exploitation of our women should not go unpunished.)

GMA News Online has sought comment from the Philippine National Police and will publish it as soon as it is available.

The New York Times report said, "FBI agents stationed overseas had sex with prostitutes in Cambodia, the Philippines and Thailand, even as some bureau employees attended training meant to combat human trafficking, a practice that often exploits vulnerable women, according to an investigation by the Justice Department’s watchdog."

"The document, made public on Thursday in response to a lawsuit by The New York Times, covers activity from 2009 to 2018, and describes F.B.I. employees paying for or accepting sex while socializing with each other and with the police in several countries, portraying a lascivious culture where women were freely used for sex," the report said.

Brosas said the report was not only a case of individual misconduct.

"This is a clear manifestation of the culture of impunity and systematic exploitation of women that continues to pervade our society, enabled by no less than those sworn to protect our people. Nakakagalit na ang mismong mga pulis ang nagsisilbing bugaw para sa mga dayuhang ahente,” Brosas said.

(It is infuriating that our police had served as pimps for foreign agents.)

“Imbes na protektahan ang kababaihan mula sa trafficking at prostitusyon, sila pa mismo ang nagbebenta ng ating kababaihan. Sino ang mga sangkot? Anong ahensya? Dapat managot ang lahat ng nagpakunsinti sa iligal na gawain na ito,” she added.

(Instead of protecting our women against trafficking and prostitution, they were the ones who sold our women. Who are the people behind this? What agency? We should hold all those people who tolerated this crime responsible.)

Brosas said that an immediate investigation on the matter should include public disclosure of its findings.

"This case is a stark reminder of why we must continue to fight against all forms of violence against women, especially when perpetrated by those in positions of power," Brosas said. –NB, GMA Integrated News

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