Despite the Philippines government’s effort to diminish the number of people infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed that almost 1,000 persons have been infected with this deadly disease in 2016 after engaging in paid sex. These victims comprise of people who pay or receive payment for sex regularly. This report covers the period of January to December last year.
According to the agency, about 985 individuals through transactional sex. Half of these numbers, or almost 509, were people who regularly paid for sex. A total of 505 were males while four were females. On the other hand, about 317 who acquired HIV were those who receive payment for sex once or multiple times. About 294 of these victims were males while 23 were females. Meanwhile, there are about 159 victims who have forayed into both forms of transactional sex. About 143 of these victims were men while 16 were women.
The country’s DOH also confirmed that in December last year alone, they have recorded a total of 66 persons who were infected by HIV. Thirty-five have acquired HIV after paying for sex, while 23 have been infected after accepting money for sex. The remaining eight victims acquired HIV after engaging in both forms of sex.
Fact and Details reports that prostitution is highly-illegal in the Philippines despite its rampancy. According to the site, there are two kinds of pimps in the country. First, the Amou, or maintainters, who recruit and take care of the prostitutes. Second the Iti, or those who chase customers and bring them to the prostitutes.
One former prostitute also revealed in the site that prostitution also breeds corruption among the police. If they get caught and the police like them, they will be forced to have sex. On the other hand, prostitutes need to bribe the police with $ 40- $50. This transaction occurs even before they reach the police station. This attributes to the rampant and rapid spread of HIV in the country.
Before, HIV has been regarded as an incurable disease. However, studies around the world are still being conducted in efforts to find a solution. One of these is a study conducted by Canadian Scientists who promised that the vaccine they are developing might be the cure for HIV.
