GABRIELA Women’s Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas on Friday welcomed the decision of the federal grand jury of the Eastern District of Virginia to charge a US diplomat for allegedly raping a Filipino minor.

Dean Cheves was charged with one count of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place and one count of possessing child pornography after it was discovered that he engaged in sexual activity with a 16-year-old Filipina and recorded the act on his mobile phone.

Reports said Cheves met the teen online.

“Young girls from the poorest and most neglected parts of the country are falling prey as many foreign sex offenders are invading the Philippines to exploit the dire state of families under this economic crisis. The government must strictly abide by its responsibility to protect the most vulnerable members of our society, especially women and children,” the lawmaker said.

Brosas stressed the need to pass bills that prohibit any form of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

“Lockdowns, travel restrictions, falling of markets, and closing of businesses are putting victims of rape and sexual abuse at risk of further exploitation especially now that predators can easily connect with them through social media platforms,” she said.

The lawmaker said that the incident only adds up to the many cases of sexual abuse and violence perpetrated by US citizens against Filipino women since the Visiting Forces Agreement was implemented.

“From the very start, the Philippines is at a disadvantage. Now, more and more Filipinos suffer the consequences of President Duterte’s decision to keep the VFA. Lumalakas ang loob ng mga dayuhang ito na mang-abuso ng kababaihan at kabataan sa ating bansa dahil ang presidente mismo ang nagtatanggol sa kanila,” Brosas said.

She urged the Philippine government to  support the victim.

“Women and other victims of rape who would want to seek justice through the judicial system must be given ample remedies under the law. Kailangang magbigay ng agarang suporta ang pamahalaan lalo’t inaasahang tataas pa ang kaso ng abuso at pananamantala sa kababaihan at kabataan habang tumitindi ang krisis sa ating bansa,” she said.