Manila Rape Victim May Withdraw From Case Against Marines
Breaking news from the Philippine Star this evening:
The Legislative Oversight Committee on the Visiting Forces Agreement (LOVFA) says the woman accusing six Marines of rape will release a supplemental affidavit in the next few days that will weaken her case. They further state that she may withdraw from the case altogether. Currently, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is completing its analysis of crime scene DNA evidence.
Philippine legislators and the NBI say if the victim withdraws from the case she will likely be prosecuted for perjury based on her original affidavit. A former trial court judge told the Philippine Star that if the victim withdraws, the case will be weakened but not trashed.
Source: Philippine Star [ Rape victim ng GI Joe’s aatras ]
Update (11/26/2005 9:57am):
The Philippine Star has an update to the story this morning:
Katrina Legarda, one of the lawyers for the rape victim, has denied reports that the victim will file a supplemental affidavit.
Timoteo Soriano Jr.—driver of the van where the victim was allegedly raped—has been charged as an accomplice in the case. Mr. Soriano has said that members of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) coerced him into signing an affidavit implicating the Marines in the gang rape of the young woman.
Source: Philippine Star [ Rape case vs GIs could weaken ]
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Over at INQ7, Rasheed Abou-Alsamh is asking questions that I’m certain are on the minds of many people.
Rasheed says, “The main question in my mind is why would any woman in her right mind hook up with a group of six young and, let’s be honest here, horny soldiers in a bar, of all places?”
Source: INQ7 [ Questions raised by Subic rape case ]
Related Stories:
Four Marines Charged With Rape In Philippines
U.S. Marines Deny They Raped Filipina
OpinionBug.com: Philippines Marine Rape Case: What Of Justice?
Marines Suspected Of Rape Remain In Custody Of US Embassy In Manila
