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TOKYO: The US military is set to tighten rules for
its troops living off base after a series of crimes involving its
servicemen, as a Philippine official confirmed Friday that a
Filipina is claiming that an American soldier raped her.
In a text message to journalists,
Claro Cristobal, public information officer of the Department of
Foreign Affairs in Manila, said the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo has
confirmed that a Filipino woman complained of having been raped by a
US soldier in Japan’s southern island of Okinawa, where half of
American troops in Japan are based.
Initial reports indicate that the
Filipina was raped on February 18 in an Okinawa hotel. Japanese and
US authorities are still investigating the incident, while the
victim is being treated for injuries in a medical facility.
Japan’s Foreign Minister
Masahiko Komura said Friday that Japan is now looking at installing
security cameras on downtown streets across Okinawa and conducting
joint patrols.
“Japan and the United States
agreed to review the criteria and policies for off-the-base
residency,” Komura said. “We want proper screening.”
This is the latest rape allegedly
committed by US soldiers.
In December 2006, US Marine
Daniel Smith, 21, was convicted in Manila for raping a 23-year-old
Filipina identified only as “Nicole” in November 2005 in Subic,
Philippines.
The Philippine government
encountered serious controversy over the custody of Smith, who was
turned over to the US Embassy in Manila, to the dismay of the
victim’s family and the public.
Another rape
Earlier this month, Okinawan
police arrested Staff Sergeant Tyrone Luther Hadnott, 38, on
allegations that he raped a 14-year-old local girl in his car,
sparking an uproar.
The Marine lived outside his
base, reportedly because of his relatively mature age and a previous
relationship with a Japanese woman. He has admitted trying to
forcibly kiss the teenager, but denies raping her.
Some 44,963 US troops,
non-military staff and their families were based in Okinawa as of
end-January. Of these, some 10,748 lived off base, according to the
Japanese foreign ministry.
Faced with public outrage, the US
military on Wednesday imposed a sweeping curfew barring troops and
their families in Okinawa from leaving their bases or off-base
homes, except for work, medical treatment or worship.
Lt. Gen. Richard Zilmer, the top
commander in Okinawa who issued the orders, said Friday that the
“overwhelming majority” of troops respect Japanese law.
“However, these recent
incidents possess the potential to undermine the goodwill we have
fostered with the Japanese people over decades of cooperative
engagement,” he added in a statement.
The military also designated
Friday as a “day of reflection,” with all units undergoing
activities to enhance sensitivity.
“Every service member is
expected to take personal responsibility for his or her off-duty
conduct and we will continue to be unwavering in our commitment to
maintain exemplary high standards of professionalism,” said Lt.
Gen. Bruce Wright, commander of the US Forces in Japan.
--AFP
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