DFA giving financial, moral support to Pinay in Japan rape case

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is closely working with the Japanese government to provide the necessary financial and moral support to the 21-year-old Filipina allegedly raped by a US soldier in Okinawa, Japan last month.

Cresente Relacion, DFA executive director, told reporters during the Kapihan ng Bayan at Sulo hotel in Quezon City that the Filipina is now under the care of a women’s welfare center in Japan.

“We have informed the relatives of the victim that we are providing her with a civil lawyer to pursue civil damages while the Japanese court will try the case,” Relacion said.

He declined to give details on the identity of the victim except that she is of legal age and she arrived in Japan early last month.

He said initial investigation showed that the victim suffered blood loss and contusions, an indication that she may have suffered physical violence during the alleged sexual assault.

According to reports reaching the DFA, the girl was recruited to work as an entertainer.

A few days after her arrival, a US soldier allegedly asked the owner of the bar where the victim worked to bring her out together with five other women for a night of dance and drink.

The victim reportedly got drunk and was brought to a hotel by the suspect where she was sexually molested.

Relacion said the owner of the club has also provided financial support by continuing to pay her salaries while she is with the women’s center.

“The employer has promised to continue paying her salary until the resolution of the case,” he said.

Meantime, the 52-member Lady Legislators of the House of Representatives said the government should make sure that the American soldier is prosecuted and put behind bars.

Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar, president of the organization, underscored the need to monitor the case which would help ensure the speedy delivery of justice.

She said the House will pass a resolution supporting the Filipina rape victim.

“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 Manuel Villar.

North Cotabato Rep. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza, who served as a member of the bicameral Oversight Committee on the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement in the 12th and 13th Congresses, said the Philippine Congress is keeping an eye on every development in the OFW’s rape case.

Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza 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 said, referring to another Filipina who was raped by a US marine in Subic in 2005.

Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros asked Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo to lodge a diplomatic protest against the US government.

The Lady Legislators of the 14th Congress started the series of activities to commemorate the celebration of Women’s Month this March like taking over the scheduled session yesterday.

They were scheduled to approve last night House Bill 1821 or An Act Declaring Nov. 25 of every year as National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.  – With Delon Porcalla