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MANILA, Philippines -- The American soldier accused of raping a Filipina in Okinawa is in the custody of the United States military, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Monday.
In a press conference, Esteban Conejos Jr., DFA undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs said the accused was in US custody because the case was still under investigation. He said an order of arrest, if ever, would follow.
“The investigation of the police is continuing. They are examining the hotel employees. They are interviewing the taxi driver. The scope of the investigation is widening. He’s still staying in the base because there’s still no indictment, where the public prosecutor will recommend the arrest or not,” he said.
Conejos said the Japanese police had jurisdiction of the case because the crime allegedly violated Japanese laws and was done when the soldier was off duty.
The DFA official said the victim is wan the custody of the Japanese police.
“She’s well taken care of by a private organization…We’re also arranging for her father to visit her [in Okinawa] to provide moral support,” he said.
