Alleged Underage Prostitution in Philippines; Americans Targeted
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Working with them on American cases is the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, or ICE. Under the PROTECT Act, they work with the Filipino authorities to extradite Americans back to the United States for prosecution.
The Forgotten: Life inside notorious Philippine detention centre where inmates 'disappear' without being charged
American Arthur Benjamin, the former owner of a bar in Subic Bay who has been held for 2½ years since being arrested for allegedly hiring underage girls and having a 16-year-old girlfriend. They point out some of the other characters who have had to call Bicutan home.
Benjamin was arrested in a sting orchestrated by US and Philippine police, and in which TV reporters posed as customers; it was broadcast on American channel ABC News. However, the case against him has stalled, he says.
"I am going to be here until my case is dealt with. The last guy with a case like mine was here for 8½ years. I feel life is passing me by. I've been here nearly three years. I turned 50 inside - my wife turned 50. My kid went to college. I will win my case here because they don't have any real evidence against me but, when I win, they will deport me and I'll be tried again in the States for the same charges I have been found innocent of here.
"My wife has stood by me despite what has been on TV on four continents and brings me stuff and makes sure I am comfortable. We had some issues, of course, but I talked to her about it and she said, 'I am your wife and I will stand by you.'
"My brothers and sisters say they don't want anything to do with me," he says. "People I considered friends don't return my emails. People I thought I knew really well refuse to talk to me at all. My Christmas card list is extremely short now but that's OK. It's good to know who your real friends are."