Lodge diplomatic protest on US soldier who raped Pinay in Japan - lawmaker

MANILA, Philippines - At the start of the observance of Women’s Month, a lady legislator urged the Foreign Affairs department to file a diplomatic protest to the US government against the US serviceman accused of raping a 21-year-old Filipino woman in Okinawa, Japan.

Rep. Risa Hontiveros of Akbayan party-list, suggested that Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo “undertake a loud voice by registering a diplomatic protest" on the rape incident.

In opening activities for Women’s Month, the women members of the House of Representatives prodded the Arroyo government to ensure that the US serviceman who allegedly raped the Filipino worker last month is put behind bars and taken to court.

Las Pinas Rep. Cynthia Villar, president of the 52-member Lady Legislators of the House, said a resolution of support for the rape victim is upcoming.

“The government must spearhead vigorous efforts that would guarantee the sending of supposed perpetrator to jail and carry justice for the victim. We will also pass a resolution supporting her," said Villar, wife of Senate President Manny Villar Jr.

Philippine Consul General to Tokyo Sulficio Confiado had reported that the Filipina had accepted the embassy’s offer of assistance and protection for the duration of the investigation and judicial proceedings.

An aunt of the Filipina said the sexual assault happened on Feb 17, barely two days after she arrived in Okinawa.

Watching closely

Rep. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza of North Cotabato said the Philippine Congress is keeping an eye on every development in the OFW’s rape case.

“We are watching closely, and surely hope that the Philippine foreign offices concerned are responding adequately to the serious untoward incident," she said.

Taliño-Mendoza served as a member of the bicameral Oversight Committee on the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement in the 12th and 13th Congresses.

Rep. Liza Maza, who represents Gabriela Women’s party, sees no problem with supporting the rape victim. “We were unanimous in Nicole’s case then, I think there’s no problem in doing that here also."

She was referring to the Filipina who was raped in Subic on Nov. 1, 2005 for which Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith was convicted.

Taliño-Mendoza cited that the 1995 Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act put in place broad measures that enable Philippine foreign offices to deal effectively with cases such as the Okinawa rape incident.

This includes the creation of the Office of the Legal Assistant for Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos under the DFA, to provide prompt aid when Filipino citizens are victimized abroad, or when they come in conflict with the law in their host countries.

Under the US-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, the US maintains a large military presence in Okinawa, which is hosting more than 27,000 American servicemen, including 15,000 Marines together with their 22,000 family members. - GMANews.TV

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