Prostitutes Marawi City

War’s Enabling Environment for Trafficking

Martial law and war create what experts call an “enabling environment” for human traffickers. This was evident during the 2017 Marawi City siege in the Philippines.

Commercial Exploitation and Forced Recruitment

While commercial escort services openly advertise online in Marawi City and surrounding areas (like Mantampay, Basak, Marantao), the city also grapples with a darker reality. Reports indicate that during the siege, both women and men were forcibly recruited by militants. Investigations suggest trafficking networks operated involving Malawi, Kenya, and Thailand.

Prostitution Scale and Vulnerabilities

The Philippines faces significant challenges with prostitution. While illegal, it’s widespread. NGOs estimate around 400,000 women and girls are involved nationwide. In Davao City alone, one organization recorded approximately 4,000 women and young girls in prostitution. In Marawi, Lawig Bubai documented similar exploitation. These vulnerabilities increase during conflict and displacement.

Post-Siege Exploitation Risks

Marawi City, still recovering from the devastation of 2017, carries a complex reputation. The siege left deep scars, including documented cases of civilians being forced into roles like fighting or looting. The chaos of conflict provided cover for traffickers to exploit displaced and desperate people. Despite reconstruction efforts, the underlying socio-economic factors and the trauma of the siege continue to create risks for exploitation.

*TAGS* – Marawi City siege, commercial escort services, forced recruitment militants, displacement exploitation risks