DFA open to all options in advancing Pinay rape case in Japan

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday said it is pushing for the Japanese government's reinvestigation of the rape case filed by a Filipina overseas worker against a US serviceman in Japan. In a press conference, DFA Undersecretary Esteban Conejos said the Philippine government is considering "all options" including the reinvestigation after the Japanese court dismissed the case for lack of evidence. "There is remedy under Japanese laws. The Criminal procedure is to file a motion for reinvestigation... Now that there is a decision, we are looking at ways on how to continue with the case. We have 15 days to make the appeal for the petition for re-investigation," Conejos said. "We will continue to uphold the interest of our OFWs. This is the reason why we hired a female lawyer to advise us on the case... Right now we are not discounting any option. We are open to all options," he added. Conejos said the Filipina victim is under the custody of the Archbishop of Naha and the Philippine Consul General in Okinawa. In the press conference, Conejos also said Philippine authorities are considering to appeal to the US military to start court martial proceedings against the accused soldier. "If you will recall the rape case of the Japanese woman was also dismissed by the lower court. They sought for the initiation of court martial proceedings. So this is the second option that we are looking at. We will appeal the case to US military authorities," Conejos said. Earlier, the Japanese police said the alleged rape occurred last February 18 after the victim went out with the suspect to eat at a hotel. A police report said that worried members of the hotel staff took her to the hospital when they saw her bleeding profusely after the alleged sexual assault. Japanese police said the victim was confined in a hospital for a week after the incident. The victim later positively identified the suspect in a police line up. The US serviceman has denied the allegations and maintained that the Filipina consented to have sex with him. - GMANews.TV