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MANILA, Philippines -- Senate President Manuel Villar on Saturday called on the government to undertake vigorous efforts in ensuring that justice will be served to the victim, a contract worker who was raped two days after arriving in the island-prefecture of Okinawa in Japan which hosts 20,000 American troops.
In a statement e-mailed to media outfits, he urged the Department of Foreign Affairs through its embassy in Japan “to closely monitor the judicial proceedings and provide her with legal aid and other administrative support.”
“Beyond words of comfort, our government should put a man on the ground to underscore our deep interest in the case and to coordinate all forms of assistance the victim may need,” he said.
Villar said funds that the victim will need “for her protection, housing, and legal fees,” can be sourced from the Assistance to National Fund in the budget of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
“Other expenses can sourced from the Overseas Workers Welfare Fund which is managing the $20 fee each departing OFW is obliged to pay,” he said.
The Filipina, who is in the protective custody of the Okinawa police, will file a case in court against the US soldier, who also remains unidentified.
“It is important that despite our limited resources, we are not remiss in our duty to help a compatriot in distress,” Villar said.
