NAHA -- A U.S. soldier in Okinawa is being investigated Thursday over allegations that he raped a Filipina, police said.

U.S. military law enforcers have taken the accused man into custody, but the woman who accuses him of rape has not pressed charges with Okinawa Prefectural Police.

Police are questioning the woman and others associated with the case and will take out a warrant for the soldier's arrest for rape if the alleged victim files a criminal complaint.

Anti-U.S. sentiment is escalating in Okinawa, which hosts a significant proportion of the U.S. military forces stationed in Japan. On Feb. 11, a U.S. Marine was arrested for the rape of a junior high schoolgirl. U.S. military officials in Okinawa were supposed to tighten discipline in wake of the incident, so the current allegations are likely to further inflame the people of Okinawa.

Police said the Filipino woman at the center of the current allegations says she was raped around Feb. 18 and underwent a medical examination immediately after.

Following the 38-year-old Marine's Feb. 11 arrest for rape, other members of the same branch of the military have been arrested in Okinawa for drunken driving and trespassing. U.S. military officials in Okinawa imposed a curfew on SOFA personnel in Okinawa on Wednesday.

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Marine Assault
written by Dianne , February 25, 2008

My daughter has saved her money for two years to go to Okinawa for a week's visit with her friend who is in the Air Force. She just arrived and learned they were all on lock down.

Are other military personnel (branches) involved? Any idea when the lock down will be lifted.

I hope, that if these allegations are determined to be true that the perps are prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

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As far as I know
written by hdr , February 25, 2008

All of the military personnel islandwide in Okinawa are on lockdown.

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Yes
written by Julie , February 26, 2008

All military and their spouses are on lock down as well as DOD contractors. I am currently in Okinawa as Marine Corps spouse and cannot go anywhere.

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