Thanks for the info. I’ve meant to get by there more often but seems to never be enough time.

Must have over looked this when you left it. You’ve been gone forever now.

Concerning carrying the passport…I always had a copy of the pertinent pages stashed in my money belt.
I NEVER EVER carried my actual passport. But was never asked for any ID.

A final note: I never (hard to believe) went into an actual bar in the Philippines. I always figured,
a MS redneck has no business in a Philippine bar. At least, not this redneck! LOL

I liked watching the folks in a disco, can be very interesting and the Philippines is no different. What you’re saying about the bargirl’s and the sweeps is a LOT different from what I’ve been hearing from the expats, especially the forums devoted to night life. It has been a while since I’ve been on any forum other than my own and Bob’s blog. I found one other forum I enjoyed but got tossed off of that soon after setting up my own forum.

There are some risk in going to a bar of any kind, not sure what you mean.

I’ve have yet to run across any expat that has had his passport checked. Kind of amazing to see what you say is so different. I notice your use of clicks and careful choice of words and I’m pretty sure I have a general idea of your line of work so I know you have access to really good information.

I never carry my passport with me, usually don’t have a copyy. I have my card that has my passport info on it. Carrying it around with me would have it end up beat to death and likely lost. Plus, the Philippines condones the use of agents to handle your renewals and such for your passport. My agent has access to mine for a week or two every other month.

I know another guy that leaves his passport with an agent at all times, they take care of everything, I think he’s getting some bad advice. Nice guy I hope it works out for him.

I’m gong to shut this down for now, I’ll get to your other comments tomorrow. I always enjoy what you have to say.

Anyone found in the company of a “Bargirl” or other professional was deported after an unhealthy stay in the Manila Immigration jail. In Thailand and in KL in Malaysia there is always a sweep like that taking place with the added joy of on the spot urine analysis.

I have seen pressure put on a very attractive 15 year old, maybe 16 year old, her birthday changed every time I asked her, was put under by her parents. I don’t think they ever said go be a hooker but they yelled when she failed to bring money home.

I worked as a Revenue Agent for several years and thus have some experience in reading and interpreting law and how it can be applied. Even one that’s been through a divorce should have some idea of how laws are twisted in novel ways. It’s what lawyers and accountants do. It is like a game, its fun, trying to set a precedent. Its how a young prosecutor makes a name for him or herself.

Anytime in the Philippines when there is a third person involved in anyway and money changes hands there is a risk of running afoul of the anti-trafficking laws. A dating site is certainly within the implications of that law, though I don’t think that was the intent. I agree it could be pursued. ANYTIME money changes hands at all, there is a chance of anti-trafficking law coming into play. Going to a bar in Angeles is certainly one of those cases.

So far, those are not the places the government has gone after. They tend to limit it to underage girls. If you piss of the wrong government official and run one of these bars is another time you could be putting yourself and your patrons in jeopardy. You could fire a girl and have the charges alleged toward you. Finally, a girl or her family could decide to extort money from you, you don’t even have to piss her off! It is dangerous waters to tread in as there are sharks out there. Might be mighty appealing waters but their are dangers.

Once again, its like the wildebeest crossing the Nile. They do it in large numbers and hope they are not the one that gets eaten.

I am not taking a position on this as to what is right or wrong. I only state would could be and hope it is of use to others.

If you’re in a bar when it gets raided, you’re going to spend the night in jail. And probably more than one night. If you’re a Kano that’s likely a strike against you right there.

How does profiling feel when your on the other side of it? That question directed at no specific person.

It wasn’t what you said about trafficking it was the part about telling government officials what you thought they should do.

That’s the kind of thing that can get you deported. Probably not that but it COULD so now I just stay away from that kind of thing. I’ll probably even remove the entire Philippine Politics area of the forum. There is a provision that states that foreigners cannot complain or try to influence the political process here. Doing so can get you blacklisted and deported. I personally don’t want a free trip back to the states.

You are not a tourist or foreigner in the Philippines, you can say what you like. When I left the US I left my freedom of speech behind. You will be doing the same.

I will still talk about what goes on here and the political process, I just can’t state my opinion. The Philippines has a on going war, if the US had the same issue, I can’t imagine we’d appreciate a bunch of foreigners coming into the US or any other homeland and fanning the flames.

Protesters have been deported. One article I wrote at http://www.cebuexperience.com has me concerned. It has been greatly neutered now.

I wrote an article about your freedom of speach getting checked in at the entry into the PI on this site and at http://www.rustyferguson.com.

Its a hard pill to swallow for Americans. But swallow it we must.

Since at least the early 80’s visa aplications to the US (fiance or spouse) have required official documentation showing proof of age of the petitionee. If those documents were faked it had to be with the cooperation of the girl. She also had to have a personal interview with a member of the Embassy staff. They might be taking the underage girls somewhere but I don’t think a substantial number were brought to the US unwillingly. Besides have you seen what the courts can do to you if you mistreat your wife and she divorces you?

I agree my opinions are completly my own and according to many not based on reality of any kind.

I guess I should place another disclamer here. I am not talking about underage girls who are being abused I am talking of cases I am familiar with where the supposed rescue was really no rescue at all.

I am not familar with this particular organization. I looked at the link but for some reason I couldn’t open any of their articles to read them. People do some pretty terrible things to each other.

All I am trying to say by my previous statements is that if the economic situation is improved much of these problems will go away by themselves.

I love the Philippines as well and it greatly saddens me to see the way the welfare of the people is neglected. Perhaps some of my statements are a little critical but they are easily noticable to anyone with eyes. I’m not telling secrets here.

I was looking forward to visiting that place. I forgot the name of it. It went down shortly after I came here.