Prostitution in the Philippines is illegal, although somewhat tolerated, with law enforcement being rare with regards to sex workers. Penalties range up to life imprisonment for those involved in trafficking , which is covered by the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of In , it was estimated that there were up to , prostitutes in the Philippines , [ 4 ] from a population of roughly Citing a study, Senator Pia S. Japanese prostitutes Karayuki-san worked in the Philippines during US rule.
During the Spanish colonial period , most prostitutes in the Philippines were either working class Filipinas or migrant Japanese from Hong Kong. Prostitution increased due to the forms of gambling introduced by the Spanish, which they used to gain more wealth. Many of the prostitutes' clients were members of the Spanish elite, including priests, as well as Chinese migrants.
In some instances members of the Spanish elite tried to stop the practice, but they failed due to corruption. By the last decades of Spanish rule, prostitution in the country had become widespread, and some Spanish governors protected and encouraged the system.
During the Philippine Revolution , Filipino revolutionaries sought to reduce prostitution in the country. The native Filipino government introduced the first health clinics for prostitutes, and provided them with aid.
During the American Colonial Period , prostitution again became widespread, with some American officers being clients. The American Insular Government of the Philippine Islands encouraged the system, calling it a "military necessity", and even transported prostitutes from other areas such as Davao. After calls from locals and the American government in the US to abolish the system, the American officials stationed in the Philippines "reluctantly" ordered its closure.
