Bishop opposes diplomatic protest vs US envoy

US Ambassador Harry Thomas. AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines— A Catholic bishop on Friday was opposed to plans of the government to file a possible diplomatic protest against US Ambassador Harry Thomas’ claim that 40 percent of male tourists come to the country for sex.

Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani said over Church-run Radio Veritas that the government must instead train its attention on the problem and exert an effort to address prostitution in the Philippines than waste time on diplomatic actions against the US official.

“It’s not right to do that,” said Bacani. “If [the US ambassador] is wrong, then let it serve as a wake up call to us.” Instead of taking Thomas’ statements as derogatory to the Philippines, government officials must deem it as a warning, he added.

Bacani said it was high time that the government address more aggressively prostitution and human trafficking in the country.

Thomas drew flak from senators after he told a forum of Filipino judges and officials on human trafficking late last month that 40 percent of foreign men who come to the Philippines, including from the US, come for sexual tourism.

“That is not something I’m proud of. That’s not something you should be proud of,” Thomas said.

He also alleged that the string of karaoke bars and clubs along Roxas Boulevard, one of Manila’s main thoroughfare on which the US embassy is located, were well-known sex establishments.

Malacañang earlier said that it will leave the matter to the Department of Foreign Affairs to decide on the “best course of action” if and when Thomas clarified his statement. Palace officials also wanted Thomas to explain where he got his figures.