Sex workers banned from going near US troops

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has tasked its law enforcement unit to drive away sex workers, their pimps or handlers, and illegal drug dealers from American servicemen arriving in this free port, an official of the economic zone said.

Roberto Garcia, SBMA chair, said his agency would be part of a proposed Task Force Liberty that would be tapped to ensure peace and order in areas where visiting American soldiers and military personnel spend their liberty (rest and recreation) activities.

“Our LED (Law Enforcement Department) has been instructed to make sure the places where these US servicemen go are safe,” Garcia said.

This includes being on the lookout for drug peddlers and sex workers who mill around American soldiers near the Alava pier, where US vessels docked, last year.

“As soon as the US sailors leave their ships, pimps offer them women and [illegal drugs],” Garcia said in a recent news conference, citing a 2014 complaint.

“If they want to do business, they should do it elsewhere,” he said.

The LED would be coordinating with the Olongapo City police because its members are not deputized to make arrests.

Last year, the US Pacific Command (Pacom) canceled the rest and recreation activities of US servicemen in the Philippines after Marine Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton was detained for the slaying of transgender woman Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude.

Pemberton is awaiting a local court’s verdict on the murder charge filed against him by Laude’s family.

Laude was found dead in a motel here on Oct. 11 last year. Witnesses had identified Pemberton as the foreigner who was with Laude when they checked into the motel.

Garcia had said the US Pacom had eased up on its servicemen’s liberty in June and allowed them to leave their ships but not the free port.

“If by any chance the liberty is expanded to include Olongapo City and Subic [town], we will definitely be part of that task force. We recognize that we really have to help out to make sure these places are safe,” Garcia said.

Olongapo Mayor Rolen Paulino earlier said the city would deploy shore patrol officers for the proposed Task Force Liberty to prevent crimes while American servicemen are on shore leave. Eight US naval ships are expected to arrive here until December, he said. Allan Macatuno, Inquirer Central Luzon