thedrifter
12-21-06, 06:39 AM
Published: 21/12/2006 12:00 AM (UAE)
US Marines sent to guard jailed colleague
By Gilbert Felongco, Correspondent
Manila: The US embassy in Manila yesterday sent three US Marines to guard a serviceman jailed for rape even as a militant women's group warned against possible violation of Philippine sovereignty.
Superintendent Delvic Oreiro, Makati City Jail warden, was quoted by a report aired by radio station dzMM that three Marines had been taking turns guarding Lance Corporal Daniel Smith after he was sent to jail for raping a Filipina referred to by the courts as "Nicole".
Oreiro said two Marines guard Smith during the day, while a lone soldier watches over him during the night.
Since Smith was convicted last week for the rape of Nicole, militant groups like the women's group, Gabriela, had criticised the perceived "preferential" treatment being extended to the US serviceman.
Smith had been segregated from the general prison population and had been locked away in a room at the Makati City jail records section.
Celit Imafa, spokesperson of Gabriela told Gulf News that they will investigate possible violations of Philippine sovereignty laws following the US Embassy move to send Marines to "guard" Smith.
Alarmed
"We are alarmed about these developments and we will be consulting lawyers on this issue," Imafa said as she pointed out that the Philippine constitution bars soldiers, with the exception of members of the local armed forces and the police, from brandishing firearms without permission from authorities.
"The records section of the Makati City Jail is not an extension of the US Embassy," she said.
Smith, 22, a native of Saint Louis, Missouri, was convicted by Makati City trial court Judge Benjamin Pozon to 40 years in jail for raping a student.
Nicole, 23, was raped on November 1, 2005 inside a van in the former US naval base in Subic, north of Manila.
Ellie
US Marines sent to guard jailed colleague
By Gilbert Felongco, Correspondent
Manila: The US embassy in Manila yesterday sent three US Marines to guard a serviceman jailed for rape even as a militant women's group warned against possible violation of Philippine sovereignty.
Superintendent Delvic Oreiro, Makati City Jail warden, was quoted by a report aired by radio station dzMM that three Marines had been taking turns guarding Lance Corporal Daniel Smith after he was sent to jail for raping a Filipina referred to by the courts as "Nicole".
Oreiro said two Marines guard Smith during the day, while a lone soldier watches over him during the night.
Since Smith was convicted last week for the rape of Nicole, militant groups like the women's group, Gabriela, had criticised the perceived "preferential" treatment being extended to the US serviceman.
Smith had been segregated from the general prison population and had been locked away in a room at the Makati City jail records section.
Celit Imafa, spokesperson of Gabriela told Gulf News that they will investigate possible violations of Philippine sovereignty laws following the US Embassy move to send Marines to "guard" Smith.
Alarmed
"We are alarmed about these developments and we will be consulting lawyers on this issue," Imafa said as she pointed out that the Philippine constitution bars soldiers, with the exception of members of the local armed forces and the police, from brandishing firearms without permission from authorities.
"The records section of the Makati City Jail is not an extension of the US Embassy," she said.
Smith, 22, a native of Saint Louis, Missouri, was convicted by Makati City trial court Judge Benjamin Pozon to 40 years in jail for raping a student.
Nicole, 23, was raped on November 1, 2005 inside a van in the former US naval base in Subic, north of Manila.
Ellie