Philippines: 15 children found working at gay bar
Fifteen children who were working at a gay bar in the Philippines have been detained by authorities.
The Manila Times reports officials from several crime agencies, including the country’s Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, rescued the children who were found to be working at the Matikas bar and restaurant in Quezon City.
A raid at the premises took place on Tuesday evening.
According to the Department of Labor and Employment, the children were not properly paid for their work.
They also did not receive any holiday pay, overtime and higher pay for working nights.
The owner of the bar, Nild Arieta, is facing a charge of breaking laws governing human trafficking and anti-child labour.
Fifteen is the minimum age to work in the Philippines.
Same-sex sexual activity is not a crime in the country.
However same-sex marriage is not recognised, and gay couples are unable to adopt. Transgender people are unable to legally change their gender or first name.
