This story
was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly
newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com).
Vol. VI, No. 20, June 27, 2006
Investigate Bribery Attempt on Subic Rape Case-Gabriela
BY BULATLAT The women's group Gabriela today
called for an immediate investigation on the bribery attempt on Nicole, the
22-year old Filipina who accused four U.S. Marines of raping her early morning
of Nov. 2 at the Subic Bay Freeport. Lana Libanan, Gabriela secretary
general, released this statement after Nicole's step sister Analiza Franco
testified in court on June 26 that Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA)
official Ben Natividad had tried to ask Nicole not to pursue the case and to
just "accept payment." Franco said Natividad approached
her and Nicole on the night of Nov. 2 after the two women gave their statements
at the SBMA's Intelligence and Investigation Office (IIO). Libanan said the investigation
on Natividad should lead to more exposes’ on other individuals who might have
been involved in attempts to settle one of the most controversial rape cases in
the country in recent years. This could also give light on
the "disappearance" of Timoteo Soriano, the driver of the van where the alleged
rape occurred, Libanan said. She said their group believes that Soriano, a vital
witness, was bribed into hiding. "His disappearance remains highly doubtful for
us," Libanan said. © 2006 Bulatlat
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Posted 4:45 p.m., June 27, 2006
"The government must be concerned over Franco's testimony that there was an
earlier attempt to whitewash the case," Libanan said. Bulatlat