RP fights child sex abuse

RP fights child sex abuse

MANILA (AP): The Philippines and Australia are completing an agreement to combat the sexual abuse of Filipino children, Australian Ambassador Miles Kupa said yesterday.

Australia also intends to strengthen its defense ties with the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries as it seeks a larger role in the region's defense and stability, he said.

Kupa told a news briefing that the agreement would require that each country seek ways of preventing the trafficking of Filipino minors to Australia.

The Philippines is among the top Asian targets of pedophiles from Australia, Europe, North America and Japan, partly because of widespread poverty, weak law enforcement and corruption among some officials.