Senator calls for sex ring probe

Senator calls for sex ring probe

MANILA (AP): A Philippine senator urged the government
yesterday to investigate a report that a sex ring has brought
Filipino children into Australia for sexual exploitation.

Sen. Ernesto Herrera said the government should check why
children can get passports and leave the country unescorted by
their parents.

He said such cases could not happen without the connivance of
passport and airport officials.

On Monday, an Australian Labor member of Parliament, Lorraince
Bird, said she has evidence that a syndicate had brought Filipino
children into Australia's Queensland tourist region for
pedophiles.

Bird said she suspected police had protected the racket since
the early 1990s.

Herrera said the government should talk with Australian
authorities to verify the report and prepare steps to stop such
the incidents.