Wednesday, January 18, 2006
US denies Philippine request for custody of 4 marines accused of rape
How exactly is the US "cooperating" if it refuses to allow its marines to be placed in Philippine custody?
This is why I hate the Visiting Forces Agreement. The US does this everywhere it goes... it has agreements that protect its soldiers from punishment, and that just upsets me, to be honest. (I'd say a lot worse things, but some kids read this blog too...)
And the US wonders why the world is really starting to hate it??? Are these folks really that clueless?
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US nixes RP request for custody of Marines in rape case
First posted 12:16pm (Mla time)
Jan 17, 2006
By Veronica Uy, Tetch Torres
INQ7.net (3rd UPDATE)
THE UNITED States has refused to turn over four Marines to the Philippines despite a warrant of arrest against them for alleged rape, citing a bilateral agreement that allows the US to keep custody of its troops in the country.
The US embassy in Manila officially conveyed this decision to the Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday by diplomatic note, which it released in a statement Tuesday.
But despite this the US promised to “continue to cooperate” with Philippine authorities as the Subic rape case “moves to trial under Philippine jurisdiction, in accordance with the Visiting Forces Agreement.”
The US embassy said the decision to retain custody of Dominic Duplantis, Keith Silkwood, Daniel Smith, and Chad Carpentier who were charged with raping a Filipina in the former American naval base in Subic, Zambales province on Nov. 1, 2005 was allowed under the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
“The custody over any United States personnel over whom the Philippines is to exercise jurisdiction shall immediately reside with United States military authorities, if they so request, from the commission of the offense until completion of all judicial proceedings,” the embassy said, quoting Article 5, paragraph 6 of the bilateral agreement.
Nonetheless, the US said it was “committed to seeing that justice was served, and looked forward to a fair and impartial process that could provide for a just outcome.”
This is why I hate the Visiting Forces Agreement. The US does this everywhere it goes... it has agreements that protect its soldiers from punishment, and that just upsets me, to be honest. (I'd say a lot worse things, but some kids read this blog too...)
And the US wonders why the world is really starting to hate it??? Are these folks really that clueless?
* * * * *
US nixes RP request for custody of Marines in rape case
First posted 12:16pm (Mla time)
Jan 17, 2006
By Veronica Uy, Tetch Torres
INQ7.net (3rd UPDATE)
THE UNITED States has refused to turn over four Marines to the Philippines despite a warrant of arrest against them for alleged rape, citing a bilateral agreement that allows the US to keep custody of its troops in the country.
The US embassy in Manila officially conveyed this decision to the Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday by diplomatic note, which it released in a statement Tuesday.
But despite this the US promised to “continue to cooperate” with Philippine authorities as the Subic rape case “moves to trial under Philippine jurisdiction, in accordance with the Visiting Forces Agreement.”
The US embassy said the decision to retain custody of Dominic Duplantis, Keith Silkwood, Daniel Smith, and Chad Carpentier who were charged with raping a Filipina in the former American naval base in Subic, Zambales province on Nov. 1, 2005 was allowed under the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
“The custody over any United States personnel over whom the Philippines is to exercise jurisdiction shall immediately reside with United States military authorities, if they so request, from the commission of the offense until completion of all judicial proceedings,” the embassy said, quoting Article 5, paragraph 6 of the bilateral agreement.
Nonetheless, the US said it was “committed to seeing that justice was served, and looked forward to a fair and impartial process that could provide for a just outcome.”
