This story
was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly
newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. VI, No. 43, Dec. 3, 2006
On eve of
decision on Subic rape case:
“Ensuring justice
for our aggrieved fellow Filipino should come first before what
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo perceives as good relations between
the Philippines and the U.S.” This was what Joan
Salvador, chairperson of GABRIELA Youth, told reporters on the eve of the
promulgation of the verdict on the Subic rape case. Salvador was the main
speaker in a brief rally and candle-lighting activity held by members of the
women’s group GABRIELA early evening today at the Boy Scouts’ Circle along Timog
Avenue, Quezon City. The GABRIELA members
mounted candles on the sidewalk, arranged to form the word JUSTICE. “Jail the
rapists!” they chanted as they brandished placards calling for justice for
“Nicole,” the court-assigned name of the Subic rape victim. “Nicole,” the daughter of a
prominent family from Zamboanga, was raped allegedly by four U.S. Marines on
Nov. 1 in Subic, Zambales last year. Her case is expected to bear implications
for RP-U.S. relations as it is said to be the first against U.S. soldiers to be
brought to any Philippine court. Judge Benjamin Pozon of the
Makati Regional Trial Court, Branch 139 is set to promulgate the verdict on the
case of “Nicole” tomorrow afternoon – a week after the original schedule he had
committed. GABRIELA will be joined by other groups under the banner of the
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan or New Patriotic Alliance) tomorrow in a rally
in front of the Makati RTC. Salvador also chided the
Arroyo government for not asserting custody of the principal accused Lance Cpl.
Daniel Smith and accomplices S/Sgt. Chad Carpentier, Lance Cpl. Keith Silkwood,
and Lance Cpl. Dominic Duplantis – as she said it could have done. “The Philippines made
accommodations and compromises favoring America,” Salvador said. “We have seen
how the government, especially Gloria, shied away from asserting the dignity and
rights of our fellow Filipino and showed more concern over protecting the
relations between the Philippines and the U.S.” “Our assertion is whatever
happens, justice should come first,” Salvador added.
Bulatlat
© 2006 Bulatlat
■
Alipato Publications Permission is granted to reprint or redistribute this article, provided its author/s and Bulatlat are properly credited and notified.
Justice is above ‘Special Relations,’ Women’s Group
Says
Bulatlat
Posted
8:55 p.m., Dec. 3, 2006