MANILA, THE PHILIPPINES - A FILIPINA allegedly raped by a US serviceman in Okinawa is to take her case to a Japanese court, the Philippine foreign department said on Wednesday.

The Philippine embassy in Tokyo would give legal assistance to the woman, who told police there that she was sexually assaulted in a hotel on Feb18, the department said.

'She has accepted the embassy's support, assistance and protection for the duration of the investigation and judicial proceedings,' the department said, quoting the Philippine consul general in Okinawa, Sulpicio COnfiado.

'She is now in the protective custody of the Okinawa prefectural police,' it said, adding that the woman, whose name has been withheld 'has decided to file a case against the serviceman in the appropriate Japanese court.'

The foreign department said it was closely following the case, which came just as the Philippines and military ally the United States resumed large-scale joint exercises.

Washington last year called off large-scale exercises with Manila after a Marine was convicted of raping a Filipina.

Lance Corporal Daniel Smith was initially detained at a local jail pending an appeal, but was later transferred to a detention facility inside the US embassy.

The case outraged rights groups and nationalists here, and led to calls for the Philippines to abrogate a defence treaty that gives the US government jurisdiction over its soldiers convicted or accused of crimes. -- AFP