US ambassador to Philippines apologises for sex tourism remark

[The Northerner]

Harry Thomas said 40% of male tourists came to the Philippines for sex, sparking outcry among the country's officials

The US ambassador to the Philippines has apologised for saying that 40% of male tourists visit the country for sex.

Ambassador Harry Thomas sent a text message to the Philippine foreign secretary, Albert del Rosario, expressing regret for his comments, which provoked an outcry among officials unhappy at their country being portrayed as a haven for sex tourists.

"I should not have used the 40% statistic without the ability to back it up. I regret any harm that I may have caused," Thomas said in the text message, which was released to journalists.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/08/us-ambassador-philippines-sex-tourism?newsfeed=true

[msongs]

1. what % of local residents there have sex? probably much higher rate than "tourists" nt

[Prometheus Bound]

2. He pissed off a lot of people when he said that.

I think he was trying to make a valid point about corruption but his comment with nothing to back it up got all the attention.

[MADem]

It's probably higher than that. Same deal w/Thailand.

He does have to apologize, though, because it's one of those inconvenient truths that one can't mention, because it isn't PC to say it.

[MADem]

Pardon my triple post but I'll use the slot to add a Filipino perspective on the topic.

http://blogs.gmanews.tv/efren-padilla/archives/30-The-40-percent-Does-sex-tourism-exist-in-the-country.html

PI blogger weighs in on the subject....

[MADem]

3. My connection must have stuttered. Apologies. nt

[Scuba]

4. Why apologize? Talaga.