Group to DFA: Don't forget case of Filipina rape victim in Japan
MANILA, Philippines - Party-list group Gabriela wants the same justice given to slain US Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell to be also given to “Hazel,” the 22-year-old Filipina allegedly raped by an American soldier in Okinawa, Japan.
“Unfortunately, while Campbell received the full support of her government, perhaps prodding the local justice system to hasten its proceedings, Hazel… like many Filipinos abused and murdered abroad, seems to have been forgotten by the Philippine government,” said Emmi de Jesus, secretary general of Gabriela.
De Jesus made the statement a day after the Ifugao Regional Trial Court Branch 34 sentenced woodcarver Juan Donald Duntugan to reclusion perpetua for the brutal killing of Campbell last year.
The Gabriela leader lamented that after “token actions” that included “half-hearted statements of support,” it seemed now that Hazel’s case “has been buried for oblivion” by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The group said that DFA, despite promising to file for the reinvestigation of Hazel’s case following the dismissal by an Okinawan court, is yet to take action on the case.
Moreover, Gabriela expressed disappointment over the alleged silence on the case of Philippine Consul General in Okinawa Ako Alarcon, who, they asserted, is married to a naturalized US citizen and has a son serving in the US military.
“Hazel is but one of the many Filipino migrant workers seeking justice in foreign land with nary a support from their government. It bears repeating how remittances from our overseas Filipino workers remain the primary source of the country’s income,” De Jesus said.
De Jesus added that aggrieved OFWs seeking justice abroad “deserve as much support from the government as Campbell did from hers.” - GMANews.TV
“Unfortunately, while Campbell received the full support of her government, perhaps prodding the local justice system to hasten its proceedings, Hazel… like many Filipinos abused and murdered abroad, seems to have been forgotten by the Philippine government,” said Emmi de Jesus, secretary general of Gabriela.
De Jesus made the statement a day after the Ifugao Regional Trial Court Branch 34 sentenced woodcarver Juan Donald Duntugan to reclusion perpetua for the brutal killing of Campbell last year.
The Gabriela leader lamented that after “token actions” that included “half-hearted statements of support,” it seemed now that Hazel’s case “has been buried for oblivion” by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The group said that DFA, despite promising to file for the reinvestigation of Hazel’s case following the dismissal by an Okinawan court, is yet to take action on the case.
Moreover, Gabriela expressed disappointment over the alleged silence on the case of Philippine Consul General in Okinawa Ako Alarcon, who, they asserted, is married to a naturalized US citizen and has a son serving in the US military.
“Hazel is but one of the many Filipino migrant workers seeking justice in foreign land with nary a support from their government. It bears repeating how remittances from our overseas Filipino workers remain the primary source of the country’s income,” De Jesus said.
De Jesus added that aggrieved OFWs seeking justice abroad “deserve as much support from the government as Campbell did from hers.” - GMANews.TV
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