The United States (US) ambassador to the Philippines has apologised for his controversial remark that 40 per cent of male tourists visit the country for sex, the foreign department said on Saturday. -- PHOTO: AFP
MANILA (AFP) - The United States (US) ambassador to the Philippines has apologised for his controversial remark that 40 per cent of male tourists visit the country for sex, the foreign department said on Saturday.
Harry Thomas sent the apology through a cell phone text message to Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario on Friday, a spokesman said.
In a statement, the US embassy confirmed that Mr Thomas had expressed 'deep regret' for his remark.
Last month, Mr Thomas sparked a furore when he said: 'Forty per cent of foreign men who come to the Philippines, including from the US, come for sex tourism.' Government officials quickly disputed the claim, complaining that the envoy's remark had hurt the Philippines' image.
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