CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — The mother of a Filipina allegedly raped by a U.S. soldier on Okinawa in February appealed Thursday for support from the Philippines government for justice.
Appearing in public for the first time at a news conference in Manila, the mother urged the Philippine government "not to abandon my child," according to The Associated Press.
She said her daughter is determined to press charges.
The daughter was hospitalized for a week after bleeding profusely as a result of the alleged attack, local officials say.
The mother backed up her daughter’s claim that she went to Okinawa to work as an entertainer to help her family and to raise money for medical treatment for a twin sister injured in a traffic accident.
Her daughter, who uses the alias Hazel, said she came to Okinawa only to find she would be required to do more than dance at a club in an entertainment district of Okinawa City popular with U.S. troops. She said she was required to mingle with customers and "date" them if they paid a "bar fine" for her company.
She said she was attacked on her third night on Okinawa when she felt forced to share a hotel room with the soldier, identified as Army Sgt. Ronald Hopstock Jr., 25.
Japanese prosecutors dropped the case in April, stating they did not have enough evidence to seek an indictment.
The Army is now investigating the case and Hopstock remains restricted to Kadena Air Base, according to Army officials.
He is assigned to the 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment.
Hazel’s cause has been taken up by the Gabriela Women’s Party, which claimed Thursday that the Philippines government is failing to protect citizens who work overseas.
"Filipina migrants, especially those working as entertainers in places near U.S. military bases, are in such vulnerable circumstances," the party said in a statement. "More often than not, their situation invites and even allows sexual abuse."
Members of the party plan to travel to Okinawa soon with Hazel’s mother, counselors and representatives from the Philippines media.
