Nancy alarmed by report of prostitution in Zambo evacuation camps

Senator Nancy Binay expressed alarm over the reported cases of prostitution inside evacuation centers in strife-torn Zamboanga City.

Citing reports from the field, lady senator again appealed to the Department of Social Welfare and Development to look into the dismal conditions of displaced families living in the shelters.

"Umaapela po akong muli sa DSWD to ensure the basic needs of those displaced by the conflict and to strengthen their operations in the area. Sinabi po sa isang news report na kaya napapasok sa prostitusyon ang mga babaeng evacuees ay dahil sa kawalan ng oportunidad at hanap-buhay," Binay said.

Prostitution is said to be rife inside the Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex as well as in tent brothels along Cawa-Cawa Boulevard.

"Kailangan po ang agarang aksyon ng kinauukulan dito--sadya pong nakakabahala ang report na ito," she added.

Shallom Allian, program manager of the non-governmental organization Nisa Ul Haqq Bangsamoro, was quoted in a news report as saying that women were forced to engage in prostitution for as low as P25 to as high as P300 in order to survive.

Many have been forced to live in evacuation centers in September last year, when members of the Moro National Liberation Front attacked several villages in Zamboanga City.

Seven months after the siege, no transition sites have been prepared for the evacuees nor are there decent jobs available for them.

"Alam ko po na unti-unti ang pagtulong sa ating mga kapatid sa Zamboanga City upang sila ay makabangon muli, ngunit ang issue ng prostitusyon ay nakakabahala," stressed the senator whose proposed measures are geared toward improving the lives of women, children and the elderly.

Binay has filed a resolution calling for a probe on the reported deaths inside evacuation centers in Zamboanga City. About 100 had died since September 2013 from diseases in the overcrowded temporary shelters.

"Ang evacuation centers po ay temporary lamang na tirahan para sa ating mga kababayan. Sana po sila ay mabigyan ng maayos at disenteng malilipatan at mapagkukunan ng ikabubuhay sa mas madaling panahon," she said.