‘Ending child rape begins today’: Philippines raises age of sexual consent from 12 to 16

• Campaigners hope move will mean the country – which previously had lowest age of consent in Asia – is no longer easy prey for paedophiles and cybersex criminals
• A ‘Romeo and Juliet’ clause will protect young, genuine lovers and the law will close loopholes such as an exemption in cases where victims agreed to marry their abuser