|
Subscribe |
Mother of Pinay Rape Victim in Okinawa Seeks Justice “Maglakas-loob ka. Kaya mo ‘yan. Lumaban ka!” Nanay Melly sends out this message for her daughter Hazel, a Filipina allegedly raped by an American soldier in Okinawa, Japan. BY RONALYN V. OLEA Nanay Mely, 46, mother of Hazel, the Filipina allegedly raped by an American soldier in Okinawa, Japan last February, may look frail because of her thin frame. But her determination to seek justice for her daughter shows great courage. In a press conference, June 19, Nanay Melly, wearing a purple blouse stitched with a GABRIELA logo, began speaking softly about the case of her daughter. “Lumapit ako sa GABRIELA dahil nag-alala ako sa aking anak. Natatakot ako sa kung anong mangyari sa kanya dahil narinig ko naibasura ang kaso niya.” (I approached GABRIELA because I’m worried about my daughter. I am afraid of what will happen to her after I heard that the case she filed against the American soldier has been dismissed.) After a short pause, she continued, “Nananawagan din ako sa ating gobyerno na huwag pabayaan ang aking anak.” (I am also appealing to the government not to abandon my daughter.) Based on the chronology of events compiled by GABRIELA from various news reports, GABRIELA noted that it was only in April that the Okinawa police report on the crime of rape resulting to injuries was transmitted to the Naha District Public Prosecutor’s Office. Between April 10 and May 16, Hazel was asked to appear at the said prosecutor’s office three times. On May 16, the case was dismissed for ‘insufficient evidence.’ Nanay Melly said that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has not given them any update since the case has been dismissed. Good daughter Nanay Melly said of her daughter. “Gusto niyang makatulong sa kabuhayan ng aming pamilya at sa pagpapa-opera ng kanyang kapatid.” (She wants to help the family and to send support for her brother’s medical operation.) The family lives in Palawan. Nanay Melly sells rice cakes for a living and her husband takes on odd jobs. Hazel is the eldest of six siblings. Her brother met a vehicular accident and was advised to undergo an operation. Nanay Melly said she learned about the rape on Feb. 24, or seven days after the incident. She said, crying, “Pakiramdam ko parang mamamatay na ako nang malaman ko ang nangyari sa anak ko.” (I felt like dying when I heard about what happened to my daughter.) Courage Miles away, Nanay Melly sent a message for Hazel through the media, “Maglakas-loob ka. Kaya mo ito. Lumaban ka! (Take courage. You can get through this. You must fight.) She continued in between sobs, “Nandito si Mama mo. Gagawa ako ng paraan para matulungan ka diyan. Wag kang mag-alala. Lumaban ka.” (Mama is here. I would find the means to help you there. Don’t worry. You must fight.) She described her daughter who just turned 22 last June 5, “Mabait ang aking anak pero matapang kapag nagalit.” (My daughter is kind but she is fearless when she gets angry.) After the rape incident, Nanay Melly was able to talk to her daughter once. “Ayaw niyang umuwi dahil lalaban daw siya.” (She does not want to go home because she intends to fight back.) GABRIELA Spokesperson Joms Salvador commended the courage and determination of Hazel and Nanay Melly. She said, “Ang kanyang kalaban ay isang sundalong Amerikano na may buong suporta ng kanyang grobyeno.” (Hazel’s enemy is an American soldier who enjoys the full support of her [the Arroyo] government.) US troops Salvador asserted, “Ang laban ni Hazel ay laban ng lahat ng kababaihan para igalang ang ating karapatan. Laban din ito ng lahat ng Pilipino para kilalanin ang ating dignidad. Ito rin aylaban ng mamamayan laban sa pinakamalakas na sandatahang lakas sa buong mundo na nag-aakalang kaya nitong lusutan ang pang-aabuso sa ibang tao.” (Hazel’s fight is the fight of all women for respect for our rights. This is a fight of all Filipinos against the violation of our dignity as a people. This is a fight of an aggrieved people against the strongest armed forces in the world that thinks that it can get away with abusing other people.) Meanwhile, Cristina Palabay, secretary general of the Gabriela Women’s Party, said that Hazel’s case is a “showcase of government neglect and inutility and of lopsided foreign military relations that the Philippines refuse to stand up against.” Palabay said that Hazel’s case highlighted once again the “despicable experiences of women who have been raped and abused by US soldiers.” Palabay noted that in other countries in the Asia Pacific region, many women have been abused by American troops. She said that US military presence breeds violence and abuse. Support Palabay related that the recently-concluded International Migrants Assembly in Hong Kong, composed of 90 migrant groups around the world, adopted a resolution in support of Hazel. The assembly also called for the immediate withdrawal of American troops in the Asia Pacific region. The GWP leader also urged the House of Representatives to take decisive action to help Hazel’s family to seek justice. On March 3, the Lower House adopted House Resolution No. 51 expressing support for Hazel. Women’s Representatives Liza Maza and Luzviminda Ilagan would lead a “Mission to Okinawa” next week to visit Hazel. Nanay Melly would join them. Salvador also called on the support of the public for Hazel. She said that the public’s support for Subic rape victim Nicole led to the conviction of American soldier Daniel Smith. She noted, however, that the Arroyo government betrayed the Filipino people when she gave up Smith’s custody to the US Embassy. In a statement, Migrante International called on the Arroyo government to stop policies that have made Filipina migrant workers “more vulnerable to sexual exploitation and rape.” Bulatlat ( categories: )
|
