Originally Posted by
mlshanks
Yes it's seedy. No it's not "one of the world centres of child prostitution" (those would include Cambodia, Thailand, India, Cuba, and portions of Africa) since all of the legal p/u bars in Angeles City are required to have all employees licensed and tested weekly for venereal diseases. (and it takes proof of 18+ age to get the permit). And while there are a few arrests for under-age prostitution, you're more likely to find such out in the provinces where such behavior is not subject to official regulation (and used as an ongoing revenue source).
You have a bizarre faith in Philippines regulation. I'm pretty sure all of the bars in Cambodia, Thailand, India, Cuba and (probably) Africa have legal age limits as well.
Everything can be bought in The Philippines. "Proof of age 18+" costs maybe a couple of thousand pesos, even for a 14 year old. Even Hong Kong has 16 & 17 year old prostitutes from the Philippines on passports saying that they are 18. Fields Avenue is MUCH worse. The medical test certificates are probably only a few pesos each. These costs are insignificant compared to what, for example, a certain type of (normally) western tourist will pay for a night with a 14 year old.