What is the age of consent in the Philippines?
It would seem very clear that the age of consent in the Philippines is 18. Most Filipinos would say that is true, but it is not that clear.
Children” refers to person below eighteen (18) years of age or those over but are unable to fully take care of themselves or protect themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty
Child Protection in the Philippines (wcpu-net.org.ph) estimates that almost half the prostitutes in the Philippines are underage, many of them street children lured from the provinces by the promise of work or simply food and water. If you suspect someone of being a paedophile or engaging in any abusive behaviour towards minors, call hotline t1-6-3 or check whttp://www.bantaybata163.com.
Although the Legal Age of Consent in the Philippines is 18, it should be noted that this does not apply to anyone trafficked into prostitution, as there is NO age of consent in prostitution, so all prostitutes are children under Philippines law.
The matter was updated in 2007 under the Philippines anti-human trafficking act which stated all people trafficked into prostitution in the Philippines are considered children and there is no age of consent for prostitution. Also, the act states that there can be no consent between a customer and a prostitute, so it is also rape.
The problem is a lot of foreigners are not aware of the new law which makes all prostitution, child prostitution. What these foreigners fail to realize is that if you walk into a bar in angeles philippines and bar fine a girl, it is now child prostitution because there is no age of consent for anyone trafficked into prostitution in the Philippines.
Age of consent is 18 unless the person is trafficked into prostitution, then there is no age of consent. All prostitutes are defined as children under the law now.This is why there are lots of foreigners in the pedophile haunt of Angeles Philippines in jail now.
Sex with any child up to the age of 12 is classified as forcible rape. Sex with someone over the age of 12 but less than 18 is permissible as long as the age difference between the two is less than 10 years. Thus a 20 year old can have sex with a 15 year old but a 26 year old can not have sex with a 15 year old. See the selected quotes below and the full law in the links.“”Article 266-A. Rape: When And How Committed. – Rape is committed:
“1) By a man who shall have carnal knowledge of a woman under any of the following circumstances:
“a) Through force, threat, or intimidation;
“b) When the offended party is deprived of reason or otherwise unconscious;
“c) By means of fraudulent machination or grave abuse of authority; and
“d) When the offended party is under twelve (12) years of age or is demented, even though none of the circumstances mentioned above be present.“(a) “Children” refers to person below eighteen (18) years of age or those over but are unable to fully take care of themselves or protect themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition;“Any person who shall keep or have in his company a minor, twelve (12) years or under or who in ten (10) years or more his junior in any public or private place, hotel, motel, beer joint, discotheque, cabaret, pension house, sauna or massage parlor, beach and/or other tourist resort or similar places shall suffer the penalty of prison mayor in its maximum period and a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00): Provided, That this provision shall not apply to any person who is related within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity or any bond recognized by law, local custom and tradition or acts in the performance of a social, moral or legal duty.“
http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno7… (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act)
John is a very young 57 who has lived in the Philippines for over ten years and makes his living online as an SEO consultant and copy writer along with other online resources. John has lived in Davao, Manila and in Puerto Galera and has become an honoury Filipino. His hobbies include traveling and 1970s culture. For any articles or online work please feel free to contact John on [email protected]
