Dutch, Filipinos sign child sex tourism, human trafficking accord

The Netherlands and the Philippines have joined forces to intensify the fight against child sex tourism and human trafficking in both countries. The Dutch Public Prosecutor and the Public Prosecutor in the Philippines singed Memorandum of Understanding on the matter this week. "The Philippines is an important country when it comes to tackling human trafficking and sex tourism, and potential perpetrators live in the Netherlands. Both countries ha a lot if interest in preventing and combating this type of serious crime. The exchange of information is therefore very important and I am glad that the lines are shortened by this agreement." said Herman Bolhaar, chairman of the Board of Attorneys General. According to the Public Prosecutor, the increased cooperation has already led to the arrest of an Australian in the Philippines a few weeks ago. This suspect grossly abused at least eight underage girls. It is suspected that a 10 year old girl did not survive the abuse. Her body was found in the suspect's former apartment. The Dutch police came on the man's track last year and shared the information with their Philippine colleagues, which led to the arrest.