http://www.sunstar.com.ph/network/us-marine-accused-raping-filipina
MANILA -- A 22-year-old Filipina university student surfaced on Thursday to claim that she was raped by a US serviceman.
The woman, identified to the media as “Vanessa,” broke down as she read a prepared statement detailing how she was raped by the US soldier last April 19 in a posh hotel in Makati City.
She, however, declined to name the suspect, whom she referred to as “John Jones.”
The women's group Gabriela said the US serviceman is part of the Joint US Military Assistance Group (Jusmag) who took part in the RP-US Balikatan joint military exercises.
Vanessa was joined by lawyer Evalyn Ursua, the lawyer who defended Suzette Nicolas or “Nicole” in the controversial Subic rape case, in a press conference at the office of Gabriela.
Ursua said Vanessa has not decided yet if she is filing a case, but “it was clear she was raped.” The lawyer said they have all the necessary papers needed including the medico legal report should the victim decides to bring the matter to the court.
But Gabriela said Vanessa is not filing a case in court because of what happened in the case of Nicole, who recanted her allegations against US serviceman Daniel Smith a few months ago.
Malacañang, meanwhile, challenged Vanessa to file a case against her rapist. Deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said the woman should avail of her right to due process in court. “There should have been a police investigation. It's a little difficult to establish facts. If she would file a case, the government would be ready to give her assistance and support her,” Fajardo said.
She said that while a rape case is “despicable” and should be condemned, it would be premature for the Palace to do so because no case has been filed in court.
It would be better if the Commission on RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) could conduct a preliminary investigation on the matter, added Fajardo.
The Palace official appealed to the media not to make the issue too controversial because there are no facts to begin with. “Rest assured that we have learned from the case of Nicole and that is being considered. I don't think that will happen in this case again. If ever there is really a case of another rape victim caused by US Marines, I don't think that the same incident with Nicole will happen this time,” she said.
Vanessa and the alleged US Marine first met in a bar at The Fort Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City last April 10.
In 2005, Nicole accused Lance Corporal Daniel Smith of raping her inside the Subic Freeport.
A year later, a Makati court convicted Smith of rape and sentenced him to 40 years of imprisonment. But the Court of Appeals reversed the lower court’s decision after Nicole recanted her allegation.(JMR/Sunnex)
MANILA -- A 22-year-old Filipina university student surfaced on Thursday to claim that she was raped by a US serviceman.
The woman, identified to the media as “Vanessa,” broke down as she read a prepared statement detailing how she was raped by the US soldier last April 19 in a posh hotel in Makati City.
She, however, declined to name the suspect, whom she referred to as “John Jones.”
The women's group Gabriela said the US serviceman is part of the Joint US Military Assistance Group (Jusmag) who took part in the RP-US Balikatan joint military exercises.
Vanessa was joined by lawyer Evalyn Ursua, the lawyer who defended Suzette Nicolas or “Nicole” in the controversial Subic rape case, in a press conference at the office of Gabriela.
Ursua said Vanessa has not decided yet if she is filing a case, but “it was clear she was raped.” The lawyer said they have all the necessary papers needed including the medico legal report should the victim decides to bring the matter to the court.
But Gabriela said Vanessa is not filing a case in court because of what happened in the case of Nicole, who recanted her allegations against US serviceman Daniel Smith a few months ago.
Malacañang, meanwhile, challenged Vanessa to file a case against her rapist. Deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said the woman should avail of her right to due process in court. “There should have been a police investigation. It's a little difficult to establish facts. If she would file a case, the government would be ready to give her assistance and support her,” Fajardo said.
She said that while a rape case is “despicable” and should be condemned, it would be premature for the Palace to do so because no case has been filed in court.
It would be better if the Commission on RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) could conduct a preliminary investigation on the matter, added Fajardo.
The Palace official appealed to the media not to make the issue too controversial because there are no facts to begin with. “Rest assured that we have learned from the case of Nicole and that is being considered. I don't think that will happen in this case again. If ever there is really a case of another rape victim caused by US Marines, I don't think that the same incident with Nicole will happen this time,” she said.
Vanessa and the alleged US Marine first met in a bar at The Fort Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City last April 10.
In 2005, Nicole accused Lance Corporal Daniel Smith of raping her inside the Subic Freeport.
A year later, a Makati court convicted Smith of rape and sentenced him to 40 years of imprisonment. But the Court of Appeals reversed the lower court’s decision after Nicole recanted her allegation.(JMR/Sunnex)
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