RP-AUSSIE PACT VS. CHILD SEX, TOURS
Malacanang, Dec. 15, 1997 - President Ramos has ratified an agreement between the Philippines and Australia to combat child sexual abuse and other serious crimes.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer during his visit to the Philippines last October. It calls for joint action, exchange of intelligence and other areas of cooperation to curb child sexual abuses.
It also requires stronger measures against pedophiles and stricter checks by Australian officials on the issuance of visas to Filipino minors travelling alone to Australia.
The Philippines signed its first agreement to fight child abuse in August with Britain.
The country has launched a massive campaign against child abuse and child sex tourism, saying the issue has become a national shame. The Philippines is among the top Asian targets of pedophiles from Australia, Europe, North America and Japan partly because of widespread poverty.
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