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 n the first of November a 22-year old
Filipina from
 Zamboanga
left a karaoke bar in Subic Bay, Olongapo, in the company of five US
servicemen stationed aboard the USS Essex. Several hours later, she was
dumped on a side road, half naked and abused. The young woman was
hospitalized and later accused the Americans of raping her. The US
servicemen were in the Philippines as part of a contingent of US troops
participating joint military exercises.
 The
five accused are currently in the custody of US Embassy officials in the
Philippines, who have stated that they intend to cooperate fully with
Philippine Government officials investigating this case. Foreign
Secretary Alberto Romulo also indicated that the US is taking this
matter “very seriously.”
Like most, we hope for a speedy and fair trial. In addition, we hope the
Philippine Authorities find a way to keep civilians away from areas
where visiting US forces will be present during those
exercises.
 Given
the history of past abuses by US servicemen, as well as the attraction
Filipino con-artists and
streetwalkers
have for US troops, would it not be
prudent to try and keep both parties apart? On the part of the US
military, granting its troops furlough and unrestricted access to areas
outside its direct control is a recipe for trouble.
The joint military exercises of the US and Philippine forces provide
much-needed troop training for both countries, and is an integral part
of the Visiting Forces Agreement between the United States and the
Philippines. Events such as the one that just occurred must be prevented
from happening again. If that means keeping certain areas
off-limits to Filipinos, and restricting US troops to their quarters,
during joint exercises, than so be it.
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