B.C. Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines
Read at the U.S. Consulate

Solidarity statement for the Filipino people's call for justice for the Filipina raped by U.S. Marines

November 9, 2005

The BC Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines stands in solidarity with the Filipino people as they demand what is right and just—that six US marines be tried in Philippine courts for the rape of a young Filipina in Subic Bay, Olongopo City on November 1st.

We stand in solidarity with that young woman who experienced the terror of sexual violence at the hands of six US soldiers – and had the courage to come forward and demand justice. We stand in solidarity with the Filipino people as they demand that the Arroyo government show that same courage and sense of justice by insisting that the US government turn the perpetrators over to Philippine custody. 

And we stand in solidarity with the Filipino people as they reject once again attempts to turn the islands of the Philippines into a vast American military outpost and exotic locale for US soldiers out for some “rest and recreation” after a day of anti-terrorist training.

That this rape occurred at Subic Bay is highly symbolic for the Filipino people.  Subic Naval Base, once the largest US naval base in Asia, was located at Subic Bay until mass opposition forced its closure in 1991.  Subic Naval Base played a key role in projecting US power over the Philippines and Asia as a whole over the past 50 years. Through the base, the US was able to support the ruthless Marcos regime.

Subic Bay was also one of the largest US military training facilities in the world and tens of thousands of US soldiers were regularly stationed there. Over 50 years, the US military with help from successive Philippine governments and the World Health Organization set up a thriving “rest and recreation” area around the base. The most significant economic activity around the base was prostitution with an estimated 60,000 prostituted women working the entertainment zone.

No wonder that after the Filipino people ousted Marcos, they demanded the closure of the base in 1991. Even though the base was closed, successive Philippine governments have allowed the US military to continue to use the R & R infrastructure still in place.  That means thousands of US marines coming straight off the boats are still regularly “let loose” on the people of Subic Bay.

Subic Bay has been the playground for US marines for over 50 years and what happened on the night of November 1st has happened many times before. At least 60 reported cases of rape and many, many more crimes against Filipinos have been committed by US soldiers in and around US military bases since the 1950s.

The BC Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines stands in solidarity with the Filipino people as they rise up in anger at yet another rape at Subic. We stand in solidarity with the Filipino people as they challenge the US military’s sense of entitlement over the lands and people of the Philippines and fight for their fundamental right to national sovereignty.

Justice for the victim of the November 1st rape!
US troops out of the Philippines!