Filipino Americans Picket Tour Operator

Forty-four members of a Filipino American organization peacefully picketed Saturday morning outside the home of a Ventura man who makes his living selling tours to men seeking female companions in the Philippines.

The protesters, from the Filipino-American Council of Ventura County, marched for an hour on the sidewalk in front of Allan Gaynor’s house in the 100 block of San Clemente Street in midtown Ventura.

The group planned the march after a series of newspaper articles in which Gaynor’s business, Philippine Adventure Tours, was alleged to be using the Internet to advertise the trips.

“[The organization] abhors his exploitation of impoverished Filipino women and children by selling sex tours to the Philippines for his financial gain,” said picket organizer Rudy Liporada.

Liporada said marchers, who carried signs saying “Gaynor Preys On Minors” and “Stop Internet Tour Operation,” wanted to send a message that such a business is “morally wrong.”

Gaynor, who was home when the picketing occurred, declined to comment, except to say his home-based business is booming.

Neighbor Terri Campbell said she and her family have lived across the street from Gaynor for four years and have never had any problems. “He’s a wonderful neighbor and a nice guy,” she said.

No criminal charges have been filed against Gaynor, but Liporada said local prosecutors have received a request from the Los Angeles chapter of the National Organization for Women to investigate Gaynor.