STATEMENT

Justice to the victim; prosecute the perpetrators!

The alleged rape case against six American Soldiers in Subic, Zambales challenges the capacity and willingness of the Philippine government in protecting the life and dignity of its people. It is in this light that the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) and the Citizen's Council for Human Rights (CCHR) call on the Government to ensure that justice is properly served to the victim and thwart a culture of impunity. Justice must be properly served to the victim

The government must enforce all its power in order to serve standard investigation process with this case. Amid the existence of the bilateral agreement between the Philippines and the USA through the Visiting Forces Agreement, the Philippine government must ensure that this won't be used as an excuse for the alleged perpetrators to run away from their accountability.

It must be recalled that there have been cases of abuse perpetrated by American Soldiers in areas where the Balikatan Exercises were conducted. Most of them end up in compromise and out of court settlements. Hence, the atrocious acts of some American Soldiers continue. They are not deterred of committing crimes as though they have immunity from punishments. Stop culture of impunity

There's a great danger that this rape case involving American soldiers could possibly add up to the growing culture of impunity in the county if the GMA administration allows itself to be controlled by the American government. Hence, it is important that the Philippine government finds all possible means to take custody of the perpetrators. It must thwart any compromising moves from the US government on the case. It must ensure the Filipino people that it will not concede to any compromise that will deny justice to the victim. The experience of the 22 year-old victim epitomizes the power-playing that any American Soldier can or may do against any Filipino. It seems that the Philippines has become an even more dangerous for Filipinos with the existence of the American soldiers through the Visiting Forces Agreement. Thus, beyond resolving this rape case, the government must look into the possibility of discarding the Visiting Forces Agreement as it becomes a "permit" for a continued human rights violation.

Citizen's Council for Human Rights
Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates
53-B Maliksi Street, Brgy. Pinyahan, Quezon City, Philippines