N.B. Below is the petition drafted by the Task Force Subic Rape. To add your signature, please follow this link.
You may also send your signature to tfsrsecretariat@yahoo.com, with this in the subject line: “Online Petition: Justice for Nicole, Justice for our Nation.”
The trial of the Subic Rape Case in which four U.S. servicemen have been accused of raping a Filipina is coming to an end. We wholeheartedly commend the victim “Nicole” for gathering the courage to defend her dignity and demand justice for herself and our nation.We believe that the Subic rape case is a landmark case for being the first that has come to trial in our country against U.S. servicemen, and for its importance in challenging the implementation of the Anti-rape Law in the furtherance of women’s rights.
It is frustrating indeed that Justice Sec. Raul Gonzales showed lack of sensitivity and resoluteness to defend the victim and the interests of the Filipino people by consistently acting and issuing statements inimical to the case, i.e., downgrading the case of three U.S. marines, insinuating that Nicole could be merely imagining the prosecutors’ “incompetence” just as she may have imagined being raped, and his stubborn refusal to change the prosecutors in spite of the unethical and unprofessional conduct of the senior prosecutor.
We denounce the lead state prosecutor’s attempt to broker a deal for Nicole to withdraw her case, thus acquitting the U.S. marines in exchange for some compensation and possible sojourn in the United States. At the same time, insinuations were made that a Jocjoc Bolante deal could ensue if the case is not settled soon.
We support Nicole and her family in their refusal to further attend the trial due to their absolute loss of trust and confidence in the state prosecutors, whom Nicole and her family accused of “incompetence” in cross-examining the U.S. marines, particularly the No. 1 principal accused, a situation aggravated by the refusal of the lead state prosecutor to allow Nicole’s private counsel to participate in the cross examination.
We believe that the Subic Rape Trial has denied due process and fair trial to the victim Nicole through the one-year limitation period for trial imposed by the Visiting Forces Agreement.
We renew our call for the Senate to scrap the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) for undermining our laws and judicial system, extending more rights and privileges to U.S. soldiers and denying equal treatment to Filipino citizens. Moreover, the VFA has been a convenient cover for continuing U.S. intelligence and military operations in the country in pursuit of U.S. military adventurism and their strategic economic interest in this region.
We firmly believe that the ultimate judge of this case will be the Filipino people in their aspirations for justice and national sovereignty, and in solidarity with people’s movements everywhere to establish the conditions for lasting peace.
We, the undersigned, therefore, call on the Filipino people to rally behind Nicole who as a rape survivor is fighting not only for herself but for the dignity of all Filipinos, and for the sake of Filipino women and men who are at risk from various types of abuse that may arise from the
The Subic Rape Case 
TK said,
October 7, 2006 at 6:22 am
Justice For Nicole
scrap VFA
Donate Rapists bodies to AIDS research
melba said,
October 7, 2006 at 11:59 pm
That last one is funny. Hahahaha! Well, I believe the trend now is that rapists wear condoms… so HIV is trapped.
But the idea is not bad considering that on happenstance, most rapists might not find it necessary to use condoms after all. Here in Davao City, bodies of suspected criminals elements murdered by vigilantees are donated to medical schools. This is so, because families are usually afraid to claim for them lest they too, would be investigated/implicated.
another anonymous said,
October 8, 2006 at 3:47 am
Kababayan, sinusundan mo ba ang kaso ni ‘Nicole’, ang 22 taong gulang na ginahasa sa Subic?
Ano ba ang kabuluhan nito sa atin?
Sabi ng iba, “kung matino kasi yang babaeng yan, di siya dapat nasa bar at naglalasing”. Pabirong sabi naman ng ilan na sana sila na ang ginahasa at baka nalahian pa sila ng puti na asul ang mga mata.
Kababayan, kelan pa ba naging tama ang panggagahasa? Kelan na ba naging ‘deserving’ ang isang babae na gahasain?
Liban pa, unti-unti namang nalilinawan sa ating, hindi masamang tai si ‘Nicole’. Napunta sila sa Subic at sa bar na iyon sa imbitasyon ng isang kaibigan ng pamilya.
At kung si ‘Nicole’ ay nagtatrabaho nga sa bar, pababayaan natin siya dahil hinusgahan natin siya sa pagpasok sa ganoong trabaho? Pag ganyan, parang inilibing natin ng buhay ang dati nang sadlak sa kahirapan. Noong panahong di pa napapaalis ang mga base, marami na ang naiulat na kaso ng pang-aabusong sekswal ng mga sundalong US sa mga Pilipina.
Nakakarating sa Pulis ang kaso, pero walang umabante para malitis sa korte, ipinalagay na ang lahat ay bahagi ng pagpuputa ng mga Pilipina. Tuloy, bago nauso ang larawan ng mga Pilipina sa abroad bilang domestic worker, “puta” ang dominanteng larawan ng Pilipina.
Suportahan natin si ‘Nicole’. Nangahas siyang lumaban kahit napakalakas ng kalaban, kahit grabe ang presyur na siya ay tumahimik na lamang. Pagkat ayaw niyang marami pang maging biktima ng panggagahasa. Pagkat ayaw niyang patuloy na tinatratong baboy ang Pilipino.
Suportahan natin si ‘Nicole’. Huwag nating hayaang tuloy-tuloy na magamit ang yaman at kapangyarihan ng malakas na bansa para makaiwas sa akmang kaparusahan ang mga rapists.
Tumulong tayo kay Nicole at tumulong tayong iukit ang bagong Kasaysayan ng bayang Pilipinas!
Katarungan para kay ‘Nicole’!
Katarungan para sa bansang Pilipinas!
melba said,
October 9, 2006 at 12:12 pm
This administration has truly gone to the dogs. The DOJ booted out Atty. Hazel Valdez for telling the truth and for looking after the welfare of “Nicole”.
Just how appalling can this system be, especially the people running this rotten system?
I believe that by pushing their luck farther, all these maneuvering will just backfire in the long run. It can come in trickles or by one big blow.
Just hold on, “Nicole”.
Bansa ng mga Tanga said,
October 12, 2006 at 9:38 pm
Bakit nakatunganga kayong lahat sa kasong ito na hindi naman kayo naapektuhan? Bakit hindi ninyo pagbutihin ang trabaho/pag-aaral ninyo para umangat kayo sa buhay? Bakit puro mentalidad ng Wowowee ang umiiral sa makikitid ninyong pag-iisip at pilit ninyong isinisisi sa pamahalaan/amerika/atbp ang hirap ng buhay sa Pilipinas?
Ang katotohanan ay sumama si “Nicole” sa mga US Marines hindi upang makipag-bolahan sa kahabaan ng magdamag. Si “Nicole” ay malayang nakipag-talik sa isang puti upang mairaos ang malalim na pagnanais na makatikim ng puting dayuhan. Pagkatapos ng lahat, naisip nya o nasulsulan sya na maaari siyang magsampa ng kaso upang bigyan sya ng pera o pakasalan sya. Para ano ikamo? Para makaahon sa kahirapan.
Ang kahirapan ang pangunahing problema sa Pilipinas. Kung hindi ka naniniwala, masdan mo ang sarili mo sa salamin at sabihin mo ng tapat na hindi mo gagawin ang dalawang bagay na ginawa ni Nicole. Una, nakipagtalik sa puting dayuhan. Pangalawa, subukang makahingi ng pera sa nasabing dayuhan. Pagpuputa, sa madali’t sabi.
Hinihila ni Nicole sa putikan ang lahat ng kababaihan sa Pilipinas habang tumatagal ang kasong ito at may mga tangang naniniwala sa kanya.
Anonymous said,
October 13, 2006 at 3:06 am
Siguro mas katangahang isiping na ang mga kababaihang sumusuporta ay nakatunganga at di apektado sa ginawang paglapastangan sa kanya lalo’t higit ang paglalapastangan sa demandang kanyang ipinaglalaban.
Nakakatawang basahin ang paratang na hindi pinagbubuti ang pagtatrabaho at nakalugmok ang kabuhayan ng mga taong sumusuporta kay “Nicole”. Mas katangahan naman sigurong maituturing ang pananatiling bulag at bingi sa mga pandarambong, pangingikil, paglapastangan at pang-aabuso sa mga mamamayan, likas-yaman at ekonomiya ng bansa nga mga kinauukulan lakip na ang mga mapagsamantalang dayuhan.
Higit na katangahan ang di pagbabasa at pagsasaisip ng bawat detalye ng mga saksi at iba pang nailathalang kaganapan sa kaso upang agad husgahan at gumawa ng pangkalahatang agam-agam tungkol sa isang biktima. Isang babaeng sa simula pa’y di naman kinailangang makipagtalik upang makatikim ng puting dayuhan at magkapera.
Di niya kinailangang tumikim sapagkat siya mismo ay nakatakda nang magpakasal sa isang puting marinong matagal na niyang kasintahan. Higit sa lahat, siya ay nakapagtapos sa isang mahal na pamantasan at may sariling ari-arian at negosyong tinataguyod na siyang pinagkukunan ng kanilang kabuhayan.
Ang mga taong nananatiling sarado ang kamulatan tungkol sa karahasan ng mga kababaihan at takot harapin ang katotohanan ang siyang humihila sa bayan sa lusak ng kahirapan, pang-aapi at patuloy na katangahan.
melba said,
October 13, 2006 at 3:06 am
Siguro mas katangahang isiping na ang mga kababaihang sumusuporta ay nakatunganga at di apektado sa ginawang paglapastangan sa kanya lalo’t higit ang paglalapastangan sa demandang kanyang ipinaglalaban.
Nakakatawang basahin ang paratang na hindi pinagbubuti ang pagtatrabaho at nakalugmok ang kabuhayan ng mga taong sumusuporta kay “Nicole”. Mas katangahan naman sigurong maituturing ang pananatiling bulag at bingi sa mga pandarambong, pangingikil, paglapastangan at pang-aabuso sa mga mamamayan, likas-yaman at ekonomiya ng bansa nga mga kinauukulan lakip na ang mga mapagsamantalang dayuhan.
Higit na katangahan ang di pagbabasa at pagsasaisip ng bawat detalye ng mga saksi at iba pang nailathalang kaganapan sa kaso upang agad husgahan at gumawa ng pangkalahatang agam-agam tungkol sa isang biktima. Isang babaeng sa simula pa’y di naman kinailangang makipagtalik upang makatikim ng puting dayuhan at magkapera.
Di niya kinailangang tumikim sapagkat siya mismo ay nakatakda nang magpakasal sa isang puting marinong matagal na niyang kasintahan. Higit sa lahat, siya ay nakapagtapos sa isang mahal na pamantasan at may sariling ari-arian at negosyong tinataguyod na siyang pinagkukunan ng kanilang kabuhayan.
Ang mga taong nananatiling sarado ang kamulatan tungkol sa karahasan ng mga kababaihan at takot harapin ang katotohanan ang siyang humihila sa bayan sa lusak ng kahirapan, pang-aapi at patuloy na katangahan.
anonymous2 said,
October 17, 2006 at 10:53 am
bansa ng mga tanga — true this will really be a big country of idiots. IF PEOPLE LIVING HERE ARE ALL LIKE YOU.
paano mo nalaman na malayang ibinigay ni nicole ang sarili niya sa mga sundalong kano. andun kb. y don’t u just follow ur own advice. pag walang alam sa ngyyri better na wag makisali. ikaw ata TANGA eh.=p
anonymous2 said,
October 17, 2006 at 10:54 am
bansa ng mga tanga — true this will really be a big country of idiots. IF PEOPLE LIVING HERE ARE ALL LIKE YOU.
paano mo nalaman na malayang ibinigay ni nicole ang sarili niya sa mga sundalong kano. andun kb. y don’t u just follow ur own advice. pag walang alam sa ngyyri better na wag makisali. ikaw ata TANGA eh.=p
kung ganyan gawain mo wag k maghanap ng ibang akala mo ay kagaya mo.
Semper Fi said,
October 19, 2006 at 2:32 am
I assume the purpose of this “JUSTICE FOR NICOLE & JUSTICE FOR OUR NATION PETITION” is to a sway MORE public opinion to side with Nicole and attempt to influence a guilty verdict by the judge on November 27th 2006.
BEFORE YOU SIGN THIS PETTION PLEASE READ MY COMMENT,
In November 2005 you had the entire Philippines to include many congressmen and senators ready to hang 6 US Marines for “GANG RAPING a FILIPINA”. I watched this first hand through the news on TV and read it in the local papers. The word “ALLEGED” FINALLY surfaced after the 1st week of reporting after some cooler heads in the Philippine Congress/Senate/Justice department reminded their countrymen of the legal system the Philippines has.
It’s November 2006, and now you’re trying to rally your countrymen prior to the verdict being delivered at the end of November.
The problem. You’re attempt at Justice has become an Injustice for Nicole, the accused Marines, your justice system and your countrymen!
I will explain. You want people to side with Nicole because she is a poor young filipina allegedly raped by a SINGLE Marine and it’s Nicole and her countrymen against the UNITED STATES!
1st It is not the US against the Philippines. It’s a criminal case being tried in Philippine courts by Filipino’s. Even the Marines are represented by Filipino lawyers! The only thing the VFA may have influenced was a speedy trial. Unlike what is normally done in PI, the trial was NOT done piecemeal over a period of 2 or 3 years. To the PI justice system (Manila’s) credit they got it done more than efficiently in one year, which benefits everyone involved.
2nd From the case being moved from Olongapo to Manila, to Nicole attempting to slap the accused, to the alleged scandal of settling out of court at the end of the case, to a link between Bolante and the Nicole case, to the Philippine justice system allegedly NOT representing Nicole properly, to so many more to name, but all available through Philippine newspapers. All of the sideline distractions that have occurred have mad the entire case look like a Circus. The Marines, their council, did not create this show. The accuser, her family and her representatives did and still carry out these distractions. For what I am not sure, but attention to Nicole and her families antics seem to be abundant with the local media. But nothing ever deals with concrete facts. Just accusations, and finger pointing directed at everyone who does not kowtow to what Nicole and her followers want.
Which brings me to my point; it appears you’re (Nicole’s support group TFSR) are trying to sway people to support Nicole because they are her countrymen. (KABABAYANS) Not because you point to facts of the case that overwhelmingly show Nicole was raped. Not one fact! If anything you go out of your way to distort them. You just want people to sign the petition because they are Filipino. That’s not how justice should work. To influence people to blindly sign a petition in great numbers with the intent to influence a judge’s decision in a criminal case is INJUSTICE! So people, please be sure you have educated yourself on all the details before you sign anything, in pen or electronically.
3rd The VFA, Believe it or not overall it benefits both countries. If you feel some parts are unbalanced one way or the other then lobby to have that section reviewed and amended. To scrap it is foolish as a lot of hard work by both countries went into getting it completed. The Marines never left the Philippines, stood trial, have been in a detained status for a year, and await a verdict by the Philippine Justice system. So what’s the problem with that section?
I am not advocating not signing the petition. I am hoping to influence you to think in a mature educated manner so you can make an informed decision to sign this petition or not.
The below is my analogy of what I think may have occurred. I am NOT siding with anyone! If the Marine(s) are truly guilty may they be found guilty! If not, let them be freed and hope everyone learned something and move on.
The assessment is based on what I have observed over the past year, and experienced in the Philippines and in the Marine Corps for over 24 years.
My analogy of what happened is based on what I have observed and read about and knowing Filipina’s (I have 3 pinay girls) and Marines (I was one for over 20 years).
To start: Nicole is familiar with American military from her home town in Zamboanga and has or had an American Marine boyfriend at the time of the alleged rape though he was not in the Philippines at the time of the alleged incident.
Nicole (22 years old) is on vacation from Zamboanga with her stepsister, expenses paid for by an American serviceman friend. (Note: she is a young ADULT woman on paid vacation far from home {WHERE NOBODY KNOWS HER} with supervision from her stepsister and the stepsisters American military boyfriend.
Reminder: What do you do on vacation when far from home? One expression is “let your hair down” You MEET NEW PEOPLE, do fun and exciting things that you can’t do at home and won’t get to do again for a while. This is typical with any culture on vacation.
She went to Subic and did just that. Had a great time at SBMA doing various activities with her stepsister and others. Point is she was out doing what she had planned to do, have fun.
Fun continues; the night of the incident, she drank excessively, at a variety of peoples expense but not at the accused Marines expense. Nicole drank in more than one location but not with the accused Marine until later in the evening. So rule out he set her up by getting her drunk.
NICOLE LOST HER SUPERVISION (stepsister went somewhere) so she continued clubbing on her own. Reminder: She could walk to her very nice hotel in about 5 to 10 minutes from where she is drinking. She did not.
Two young adults met, (Nicole and the Marine who admitted having consensual sex with her) they danced, drank, laughed and got together. They liked each other, he offered her a ride in the van available to the Marines and driven by a Filipino, and she accepted. (If she was dragged to the van unwillingly why didn’t the guard call the police right away? That’s his job. )
They are in the back of a dark van, both intoxicated, both young, far away from home and both want to have sex. Don’t tell me sex is NOT in a 22-year-old Filipina’s and young Marines hormones at that age especially when the judgment is the 1st to go when impaired by alcohol. With alcohol courage, the accused Marine jokingly asks Nicole if she wants to have sex. An intoxicated Nicole with poor judgment but aware of her senses agrees. Anyway, who is going to know because the Marine and all his companions are leaving by ship in the morning! (The Marine has to be back to the ship for his curfew in a short time.) If he is late, he is restricted and faces possible other negative repercussions, so he will be on time) they have a rushed drunk sex in the back of a dark van, and time is running out for the Marines to be back on the ship. Nicole will not be allowed to go past certain security areas so they have to let her out of the van prior to where the Marines get out.
KEY POINT: There was a Marine Staff Sergeant (E6), also one of the accused; in the front seat of the van present the entire time Nicole was in the van. I don’t know him, but I know what his character must be in order for him to attain the rank of Staff Sergeant in the Marine Corps. Briefly, he or she makes things run efficiently, ensures good order and discipline among his junior Marines and finally, his integrity is unquestionable. If there was a rape/unwilling sex to be attempted in that van, if it was not stopped 1st by the younger Marines then I assure you it would have been halted immediately by the Staff Sergeant at the 1st sign of trouble by Nicole. Rape is wrong and that is very clear to all Marines but especially clear to the senior Marine in that van. The married Staff Sergeant with two or 3 children of his own!
Here is the problem; they let Nicole out of the van in an inappropriate manner. She was not fully dressed, still drunk (but not passed out). The Marines should have treated her more appropriately when they dropped her off and this whole fiasco would not have occurred. From what I can tell the curfew for the Marines was the driving factor behind dropping her off in such a state. That may not sound convincing but I can assure you a Marine 1 minute late can and has been charged and restricted to ship.
Why the fiasco occurred; Nicole lost face. Her poor judgment in having sex with a stranger was displayed in public. She disgraced herself in public! She is thinking what happens if her mother finds out? It was not rape Nicole first told SBMA police, it was concern that her mother would find out in what state she was in. She was half naked, extremely drunk, with a used condom stuck to her, in public. Once Mom, Katrina Legardia, and everyone else got on the bandwagon it blew up with no way to turn it back. As the preliminary investigation proceeded and it was clear there was no gang rape, things started to turn poorly for Nicole’s accusations. She came in to question by everyone who got the accurate story if a rape really occurred. But, there was no way to turn off her accusations now or she would loose face to her entire country and make the country look foolish for backing her so deeply. So here we are, all the evidence was presented, and it still did not put Nicole in good light. So she and her supporters continue to try to sway EVERYONE to side with her, not by presenting evidence but by using a Kababayan approach. The bottom line is: Nicole had sex with a stranger and Marines you dropped her off inappropriately. But, none of it was a crime.
From what I can see Nicole, her family, and those using the Nicole fiasco for their personal gain have committed the crime(s). Nicole for what appears to be false charges against the Marines and the Philippine justice department (Olongapo HOJ) for accepting the case and charging 4 Marines because of kababayan pressure, vice impartially reviewing flimsy, highly questionable accusations and throwing the charges out. SMBA police you are in question concerning the initial investigation, which is still not clear what happened with the driver.
Yes TFSR, Justice is what everyone wants. But justice is fairness, impartiality, fair dealing, by all who are in the capacity to investigate and judge. American, Filipino, Japanese, Chinese, Christian, Muslim, brown, white, should never be an issue in any countries justice system when coming to a decision for one party or the next. Kababayan verses America is what you keep supporting and that is not just WRONG it is an INJUSTICE. I hope people see through your ploy and true Justice prevails.
Semper Fi.
Anonymous said,
October 19, 2006 at 3:54 am
Dear Semper Fi,
If you have truly read and understood, may you be enlightened on the premise and the necessity of this campaign. Sadly, your own analysis and assumption is already stale.
Keep updated on the real issue at hand.
Anonymous said,
October 19, 2006 at 8:45 am
“I am hoping to influence
you to think in a mature educated manner so you can make an informed
decision to sign this petition or not. ”
excuse me? is one who makes opinions despite being clearly uninformed of the facts of the case mature and educated?
nicole’s supporters never forced anyone to sign the petition. the petition was put there for people to sign, but no one was ever forced. as you can see, there are facts and other helpful information here. we gave everyone the freedom to come to their own conclusions.
and you say you only wanted to be fair. but why the biased, uninformed, and chauvinistic summary that you obviously only thought up? is that an attempt at fiction writing? your story is so badly written.
jay said,
October 19, 2006 at 9:25 am
I agree with Mr. Semper Fi. Nicole is an educated adult and should have drank and behaved responsibly. I have read and watched all the news on tv and internet and I believed that there was also an element of seduction on Nicole’s part that led to their sexual encounter.
Anonymous said,
October 19, 2006 at 10:43 am
If that is so, you seem too convinced that their are individuals who can not and can never rape a woman because of the premise that there is always an element of seduction by the woman.
Alitaptap said,
October 19, 2006 at 7:21 pm
Semper Fi: Let us digest what you said in your comments:
“I am NOT siding with anyone! If the Marine(s) are truly guilty may they be found guilty! If not, let them be freed and hope everyone learned something and move on.”
Beautiful comment and I totally agree with you, but the following comments are inconsistent with what you just said. How can you say you are not siding with anyone, when the following comments are contradicting your previous one:
“Two young adults met, (Nicole and the Marine who admitted having consensual sex with her) they danced, drank, laughed and got together. They liked each other, he offered her a ride in the van available to the Marines and driven by a Filipino, and she accepted. (If she was dragged to the van unwillingly why didn’t the guard call the police right away? That’s his job. )”
Your statement seems to be claiming that the statement made by the 4 US Marines are true to the fact of what really happened because you are siding with the 4 US Marines. Were you there to claim that those 4 US Marines are telling the truth? Did you not consider that theses are completely different from what Nicole and other witnesses, like the security guard of Neptune Club, have said? Or you are just assuming that Nicole and other witnesses are telling all the lies and only the 4 US Marines are telling the truth?
“With alcohol courage, the accused Marine jokingly asks Nicole if she wants to have sex. An intoxicated Nicole with poor judgment but aware of her senses agrees.”
How did you know she agreed? Were you there and just sitting very closed to them? Did you see it in your own eyes, or you are just assuming again that the 4 US Marines are telling the truth?
“Nicole will not be allowed to go past certain security areas so they have to let her out of the van prior to where the Marines get out.
KEY POINT: There was a Marine Staff Sergeant (E6), also one of the accused; in the front seat of the van present the entire time Nicole was in the van. I don’t know him, but I know what his character must be in order for him to attain the rank of Staff Sergeant in the Marine Corps. Briefly, he or she makes things run efficiently, ensures good order and discipline among his junior Marines and finally, his integrity is unquestionable. If there was a rape/unwilling sex to be attempted in that van, if it was not stopped 1st by the younger Marines then I assure you it would have been halted immediately by the Staff Sergeant at the 1st sign of trouble by Nicole. Rape is wrong and that is very clear to all Marines but especially clear to the senior Marine in that van. The married Staff Sergeant with two or 3 children of his own!
Here is the problem; they let Nicole out of the van in an inappropriate manner. She was not fully dressed, still drunk (but not passed out). The Marines should have treated her more appropriately when they dropped her off and this whole fiasco would not have occurred. From what I can tell the curfew for the Marines was the driving factor behind dropping her off in such a state. That may not sound convincing but I can assure you a Marine 1 minute late can and has been charged and restricted to ship.”
Here you are saying that in order to attain the rank of Staff Sergeant, his character must be in good order. He should be a perfect gentleman to attain that rank, but yet, in the next paragraph you pointed out the problem. And let me point out to you the real problem of what you are claiming that Staff Sgt. Carpentier must be in good order. US Marines are trained to protect civilian people regardless of whether they are in war or not. Sgt. Carpentier was in charged at the time they left Nicole all alone by herself in the middle of the night. Whether Nicole is a decent girl or not, and from Sgt. Carpentier perspective that he perceived Nicole as a bitch, would a high ranking US Marine staff, left Nicole all by herself, drunk and confused, and just let her go home on her own? Sgt. Carpentier had all the time to offer her a ride to go home, since his curfew was up to 2:00 AM, but she abandoned her because he perceived her as a bitch and does not deserved to be treated with respect. Sgt. Carpentier is a spotless gentleman as you claimed with wife and kids of his own, yet he failed to assist a woman left alone in the middle of the night.
You said that since Staff Sgt. Carpentier was there, he could have stopped LC Smith if there was really a rape going on. His focus of attention was finding all his men to be able to meet the curfew time, and he was not paying attention to what was going on inside the van. Yet even if he was aware that there was something wrong going on, how can you be sure he would stop it? With his integrety of abandoing a helpless woman in the middle of night, because of his reasoning that she is a bitch, is it possible he could have let the rape of a woman went on without stopping it? I leave it to your own thinking but please don’t side with anyone, unless you were the prime witness of what really happened.
Semper Fi said,
October 20, 2006 at 2:39 am
To Anonymous Oct 19th at 3:54 am.
I don’t feel I am ill informed of your campaign. I understand you want attention from ALL who you can get attention from concerning rape. I respect and appreciate the attetion you and your group(s) bring about to the awareness of this type of terrible crime. But I don’t condon using the Marine(s) as scapegoats to bring light to your plight. It is unjust!
My assumption/analysis of what likely has happened is not stale as an honest judgement has not been rendered as of yet and the full scope of what happened needed to be put in writing so people can think before they just blindly sign.
Good luck in your rape awareness campaign as it is an important endeavor for everyone in all countries of the world. I whole heartedly support you and your groups efforts to bring light to rape victims. (Remember I have 3 daughters:)
Please be sure when you and you’re groups attack people, that you have sighted the correct prey. Though the Marine(s) may have brought light to your organizations, I don’t think Nicoles claims were ideal for you to back. Innocent people found guilty is a tradegy. Goodluck with Rape Awareness!
Semper Fi
Semper Fi said,
October 20, 2006 at 2:43 am
To Anonymous said Oct 19 2006 at 0854am
I think I am well informed of the Nicole case facts and fictions, Philippine Justice system (tryumphs and pitfalls), the VFA, as it pertains to the Marines, and I feel I am more than educated to make a comment.
My initial oppinion was very indepth and based on what I have seen, read and dealt with over the past year and from previous experiences in life. I put “IN WRITING” WHAT EVERYONE THINKS, assuming they are familiar with the case, the people involved and the justice system hearing the case. A year has passed and no one has commented in plain english on what has most likely transpired the night of the alleged rape. Now I have, it has been posted and people have a chance to see that there is most definetly some controversy on what really happened.
Now (I HOPE) people won’t blindly sign your petition or any other petition until they have thought for a minute or two if it is the right thing to do.
Now ur petition is for what? Justice for all? Or to sway Justice’s/Judge’s oppinion on November 27th 2006 to lean to Nicole’s side? I agree you can’t force anyone to sign the petition. But just the fact that you have a petition dealing with a criminal case is enough concern for me to comment. What is your petition seeking? JUSTICE? I don’t see the Marines in any ONLINE petition service seeking support or in the headlines in any paper in ANY country requesting Justice.
Its inappropriate to sway a criminal case in this manner! The Marines are just hoping for a fair, impartial evalution by the judge based on the evidence presented by both sides to the Philippine Justice system. Not some people power movement.
Lastly, I think my analysis of what happened to be accurate as far as what really happened that night. A 6 man gang rape sure did not occur! It is unfortunate for Nicole as her dignity is lost because of a lapse in judgement that evening. (Her follow on decisions and advisors certainly did not help either.) Unfortunate for the Marine(s) and their familes because of what they have been put through for the past year. Yes, they brought some of this on themselves for putting Nicole out of the van inappropriately.
Also, I don’t care much for fiction. Reading it or writing it. My preferance is history. Preferebly well written acurate history.
Semper Fi
Semper Fi said,
October 20, 2006 at 2:46 am
To Jay Oct 19th 2006 at 0925am
I think the alcohol impaired everyones decisions that evening. Nicole for making a poor decision concerning having sex and the Marines for dropping her off in the state she was in.
The bottom line of a years worth of scandals and soap opera’s is: DON’T DRINK TOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!
Honestly, I don’t think Nicole remembers everything that happened that evening. (There is a difference between not remembering and not stopping) I don’t mean that in the negative to Nicole, but you are the typical nightmare a father fears; a daughter that “drank to much” and forgets what she has been told over and over.
TO: Be Good, be careful!
Semper Fi
Semper Fi said,
October 20, 2006 at 2:49 am
To Anonymous Oct 19, 2006 at 10:43 am
I think your comment was meant for Jay, but I hope Jay will be fine with my/additional comment to you.
Jay simply said/implied, from what he has read via the internet, and observed via the TV that Nicole should have drank responsively and remembered what her mother taught her. (IE: Behave responsibly in any circumstances)
I don’t think he meant to imply that if a woman is seductive that she is open for sex. Anonymous, you seemed to imply that he was suggesting that. We all know, (and if you have not heard) no matter what state of senses a girl/young lady or boy/young man is in, if the opposite sex says no, your done progressing to what ever was said no too. Doesn’t matter if it is said quietly or noisely. No is stop. If you don’t, then its rape/assualt!
I don’t think Nicole was to shy or drunk to say anything, she just chose not too. Which is consent. I don’t think the Marine was too slow to get the condom on either, but as testimony shows, she helped him.
Semper Fi
Melba said,
October 20, 2006 at 1:30 pm
Semper Fi, it is obvious that you believe what you only want to believe based on your “experience and in-depth” opinion based on “your own experiences in life”. I don’t understand how could your own experiences be a source of a credible and well-informed cerebrum where the Subic rape case is concerned. Preposterous and hilarious! Unless you are one of the accused or an ally to them!
The thing is, you wanted to appear balanced and unbiased but reading by beating around the bush. The entirety of your statements, however only manifested that you only believed the statements coming from the accused US Marines and never from Nicole.
Melba said,
October 20, 2006 at 1:35 pm
Semper Fi, it is obvious that you believe what you only want to believe based on your “experience and in-depth” opinion based on “your own experiences in life”. I don’t understand how could your own experiences be a source of a credible and well-informed cerebrum where the Subic rape case is concerned. Preposterous and hilarious! Unless you are one of the accused or an ally to them!
Your psychology of behavioral manifestations and patterns of individuals who are intoxicated by alcohol and the sexes are even inconsistent. That in the end even if one is not informed about this case he might ask…”What’s your point, really?”
The thing is, you wanted to appear balanced and unbiased but reading by beating around the bush. The entirety of your statements, however only manifested that you only believed the statements coming from the accused US Marines and never from Nicole. That is prejudice.
And your analysis, tell it to the marines.
Semper Fi said,
October 20, 2006 at 9:15 pm
To Alataptap October 19, 2006 at 7:21 pm
I don’t mean to get into a battle over my analogy and assessment of what I previously wrote but I will try and clarify some of the points you could not digest.
Note: My previous statements are in quotation marks.
I stated that:
“The assessment is based on what I have observed over the past year, and experienced in the Philippines and in the Marine Corps for over 24 years.”
“My analogy of what happened is based on what I have observed and read about and knowing Filipina’s (I have 3 pinay girls) and Marines (I was one for over 20 years). “
“ The below is my analogy of what I think may have occurred.”
Please note the word “MAY”.
Your right, I was not there, but as you can see above I am not just making blind assessments and analogies, they are based on what information I have available and quite a few years of being around similar individuals from both parties.
My initial comment was due to the online petition by Nicole and TSFR in relation to justice in a criminal case. Having people sign a petition in great numbers is not how you decide a criminal case. All I did is open the door so people abroad can see that there is more to the story besides what is in the on line Philippine newspapers. Especially if you are out of the country, you are not exposed to as much information concerning the case as if you are in the Philippines. The purpose of which was to ensure people think for a minute are two before they sign anything especially a petition of this nature.
Yes, I am on one side, the side of Justice! Justice is a two way street. I still stand by my statement, “If the Marine(s) are truly guilty may they be found guilty! If not, let them be freed and hope everyone learned something and move on.” If this feeling does not give me a right to say I am not siding with any party then so be it, strickin it from your memory and pay attention to more important areas of what was written.
Simple common sense and basic judgments are the factors used in coming to some of these conclusions where stories conflict. Of course I am going to lean to where the story is more believable when the stories differ.
You begin to knit pick at my analogy and assesment so here we go on attempting to clarify.
1st, Yes, I do believe the Marines stories have been more consistent and their storie’s appear more realistic than Nicole’s version. The Marines have not had the side show antics in court, and out of court scandals Nicole, her family, her support groups, her council, and the media have conjured up which appear to me, to be solely for the purpose of screening the the truth of what really happened that evening. If you live here and sall the timing of each dramatic episode then maybe you follow what I am saying. If you don’t, fine, move on.
2nd, There are two ways to be carried to the van, willingly, and unwillingly. It strikes me as strange she could be carried unwillingly passed guard(s) through a well lit public parking lot to a van with a Filipino driver and not bring military shore patrol or the police’s attention to themselves. I am not a lawyer but, I have an idea how the question was presented to the people involved and if you want the word “carried” to come out of their mouth its an easy question to present and end. The word “carried” brings bad connotations to it in this particular scenario. But being carried should not rule out that it was done in a jovial manner. It’s easy to twist this point either way. (No, I don’t have the transcripts of the case and I was not there, I am just bringing attention to how one should look at this point.) If you don’t agree fine, move on.
Next, the SSGT. I stated initially; “Here is the problem; they let Nicole out of the van in an inappropriate manner.”
Yes, the senior Marine in that van was the SSGT. Yes, he being the senior Marine present is ultimately responsible for letting Nicole be put out of the van in such an improper state. I can only assume why he did such a thing and give you a possibility. This again is an assessment based on how I believe he was thinking based on what I believe happened and what I think a Marine in his shoes might be thinking that evening. However, I am not condoning his poor judgment in how he handled this situation, so here it is:
I would assume the SSGT did not think very highly of Nicole being she just had sex with a total stranger in the back of a van. I again must assume he wrongly associated Nicole as a bar girl/hooker/streetwalker because of her appearance to be loose/easy. Because there are so many girls for hire around SMBA when US ships are in port I would think it easy to mistake her for a girl for hire which in all cultures is not a job the gets a lot of respect. It does not mean she can be raped if she is in that line of trade but it might get you put out of the van in the state she was in. One thing you should remember is that the Marines and Sailors can’t go out in town like years gone past, but it does not stop the girls from coming from Subic, Barretto, Olongapo, and Angeles city to find customers. But, you’re right the SSGT made a very poor decision in dropping Nicole off in the state she was in. As I have stated that was wrong. But it is not rape!
Finally, as I have said, I am on one side, the side of true, unprejudiced, balanced, Justice for all. The point of my initial response was to bring light to the case because of an online petition that calls for Justice for Nicole and Justice for our Nation. By signing that, you are advocating Nicole is right, with the vast majority of the signatures not knowing the evidence put forth at trial. My point and hope was to ensure ALL people who sign this petition don’t do it because with out being fully aware that there are two conflicting sides of the story.
Take a minute to really evaluate its intention before you surf in and blindly sign a petition that has a purpose of influencing a criminal case’s decision, by using great numbers of people, not facts. It’s a criminal case decided in court.
WHAT DO NICOLE AND TSFR WANT TO DO? DECIEDE JUSTICE WITH NUMBERS!
SEMPER FI
Melba said,
October 20, 2006 at 10:53 pm
Semper Fi, the court is already doing its job to hear the case. It is kind of narrow of you to assume that the courts and the judges for that matter can easily be swayed by signature campaigns. That again is prejudice and a grave insult to the institutions of justice of this country.
There are multitudes of us who want to support Nicole but are geographically distant. Even if we wanted to, most of us could not extend monetary assistance. Signatures of support online can be one and is even the most accessible means if only to manifest our empathy and concern over the muddling and meddling of her case.
And of course, please do not assume that you are the only who understands and comprehends the development of the case and actions of the courts while the rest of us are ignoramous to have blindly signed the petition.
You want to believe you are unbiased but you outrightly concluded that Nicole was loose in appearance. How did you know that? You castigate the prostituted women to be in a “job that doesn’t get a lot of respect” but you never looked down on those men who pay women for dam bursting. They too, are not worthy of respect. I am just puzzled if the 3 pinay girls you mentioned are your children or your girlfriends all at the same time. If it’s the latter, I don’t see any reason why you need showing off, it is not even worth mentioning.
Is it not enough for you to understand, that the signature campaign is one democratic process to relay support? Nobody is forced to sign or at least to read that which they don’t support and understand?
But you are welcome to sign if you want to.
Semper Fi said,
October 20, 2006 at 11:17 pm
To Melba,
First, I am an ally to one, and that is Justice. I hope it is achieved appropriately. No, I don’t know any of the parties involved on either side.
You and a few others keep knit picking at my analogy’s and assessments. They are just that, an analogy and assessment of how I think things most probably occurred. If you don’t like them or agree that’s fine. Read everything above my analogy.
I quote you Melba “That in the end even if one is not informed about this case he might ask…”What’s your point, really?”
Melba, it was pretty clear what my point was in the 1st section of my initial comment but you got rapped around my analogy and assessments. So I will summarize my initial comments POINT!
Which was to bring light to an online petition because it was clear its intention is to influence justice in a criminal case through public opinion. If you are not sure what section I am referring too, here it is again:
1. Semper Fi said,
October 19, 2006 at 2:32 am
I assume the purpose of this “JUSTICE FOR NICOLE & JUSTICE FOR OUR NATION PETITION” is to a sway MORE public opinion to side with Nicole and attempt to influence a guilty verdict by the judge on November 27th 2006.
BEFORE YOU SIGN THIS PETTION PLEASE READ MY COMMENT,
In November 2005 you had the entire Philippines to include many congressmen and senators ready to hang 6 US Marines for “GANG RAPING a FILIPINA”. I watched this first hand through the news on TV and read it in the local papers. The word “ALLEGED” FINALLY surfaced after the 1st week of reporting after some cooler heads in the Philippine Congress/Senate/Justice department reminded their countrymen of the legal system the Philippines has.
It’s November 2006, and now you’re trying to rally your countrymen prior to the verdict being delivered at the end of November.
The problem. You’re attempt at Justice has become an Injustice for Nicole, the accused Marines, your justice system and your countrymen!
I will explain. You want people to side with Nicole because she is a poor young filipina allegedly raped by a SINGLE Marine and it’s Nicole and her countrymen against the UNITED STATES!
1st It is not the US against the Philippines. It’s a criminal case being tried in Philippine courts by Filipino’s. Even the Marines are represented by Filipino lawyers! The only thing the VFA may have influenced was a speedy trial. Unlike what is normally done in PI, the trial was NOT done piecemeal over a period of 2 or 3 years. To the PI justice system (Manila’s) credit they got it done more than efficiently in one year, which benefits everyone involved.
2nd From the case being moved from Olongapo to Manila, to Nicole attempting to slap the accused, to the alleged scandal of settling out of court at the end of the case, to a link between Bolante and the Nicole case, to the Philippine justice system allegedly NOT representing Nicole properly, to so many more to name, but all available through Philippine newspapers. All of the sideline distractions that have occurred have mad the entire case look like a Circus. The Marines, their council, did not create this show. The accuser, her family and her representatives did and still carry out these distractions. For what I am not sure, but attention to Nicole and her families antics seem to be abundant with the local media. But nothing ever deals with concrete facts. Just accusations, and finger pointing directed at everyone who does not kowtow to what Nicole and her followers want.
Which brings me to my point; it appears you’re (Nicole’s support group TFSR) are trying to sway people to support Nicole because they are her countrymen. (KABABAYANS) Not because you point to facts of the case that overwhelmingly show Nicole was raped. Not one fact! If anything you go out of your way to distort them. You just want people to sign the petition because they are Filipino. That’s not how justice should work. To influence people to blindly sign a petition in great numbers with the intent to influence a judge’s decision in a criminal case is INJUSTICE! So people, please be sure you have educated yourself on all the details before you sign anything, in pen or electronically.
3rd The VFA, Believe it or not overall it benefits both countries. If you feel some parts are unbalanced one way or the other then lobby to have that section reviewed and amended. To scrap it is foolish as a lot of hard work by both countries went into getting it completed. The Marines never left the Philippines, stood trial, have been in a detained status for a year, and await a verdict by the Philippine Justice system. So what’s the problem with that section?
I am not advocating not signing the petition. I am hoping to influence you to think in a mature educated manner so you can make an informed decision to sign this petition or not.
END of initial comment……………………………
Melba, if the above does not clarify my point then read below.
I would think it fine for a petition as such to relate whatever opinion of the VFA he or she agrees or disagrees with but not a criminal case pending resolution in a month. There has already been too much of a sideshow to this case.
One line of the petition states “We firmly believe that the ultimate judge of this case will be the Filipino people in their aspirations for justice and national sovereignty……” There are quite a few other things written in the petition that I don’t agree with or care for but they don’t pertain to my point. Only the above that is quoted is what I will elaborate on.
The Filipino people as it pertains to numbers of petitioners to be the judge in any criminal case is wrong and not how justice should be achieved. To try and use large numbers of people signatures, (Note: the petition is online for anyone to sign) to influence a judges decision is wrong. I have seen public opinion sway certain Philippine government offices decision-making process on more than one occasion to include in this case, and though it is fine when deciding a democratic solution, it is not appropriate to try and drum up large numbers of signatures in order to sway a favorable decision in a criminal case.
I have asked recently, WHAT DO NICOLE AND TSFR WANT TO DO? DECIDE JUSTICE WITH NUMBERS?
Semper Fi said,
October 21, 2006 at 12:23 am
To: Melba,
It was not my intent to demean the Manila Justice system by insinuating they might be influenced with signatures. But with all the scandals and distractions I have observed concerning Nicole and her supporters antics, I could see them waving their signature papers at the camera’s and trying to stir up more trouble and distractions AGAIN! If you had read my initial comment, I positively remarked on Manila’s Justice system getting a difficult job done in a more than timely manner.
I did not conclude Nicole was loose in appearance. I said if I was in the SSGT’s shoes in the van and I knew she just had sex with a man she only just met then I would be thinking she is loose or easy.
It’s an expression.
I have said more than once and I quote myself,
“I am not advocating not signing the petition. I am hoping to influence you to think in a mature educated manner so you can make an informed decision to sign this petition or not.”
If you are positive Nicole’s story is on the up and up, by all means sign the petition. But, don’t just sign it with out some thought or because you are her Kababayan.
I don’t know why you are engrossed in the “job does not get a lot of respect” line. It is not a topic here. It was part of the explanation of what I thought the SSGT might have thought. But no, bargirls, and hookers don’t get a lot of respect from people who chose not to do that line of work. On the other hand, no the people who dam burst which I assume means buy a hooker don’t get a lot of respect from one’s that choose not to. If I am not understanding the word “damburst” please explain the term as I am not familiar with it.
To close, it seems you have become personal and I don’t find it fitting for you to suggest something between my 3 daughters and I as being girlfriends. I am not sure what you were trying to relate or where you came up with the notion, but may I be clear in saying my kids are not the topic here.
Alitaptap said,
October 21, 2006 at 1:09 am
Semper Fi: FYI read the following that would corroborate the case in favor of Nicole. These are the third-party witnesses that support the allegation made by Nicole. These witnesses were not involved in the case, but they made a sworn statement to tell the court what they have seen. As for the defense of the 4 US Marines, it is understandable that their statement would be consistent because they are protecting one another as one team versus Nicole. But where are the third party witnesses that would corroborate their statement? They mentioned that Nicole walked on her own to the van and also walked on her own out of the van. But not a single third-party witness came up to corroborate that statement. Is this not enough to convince yourself that you are making a blind assessment. Would you believe their statement without any support from at least a third-party witness? I am sorry I have to knit pick on your comments because this is part of our argument. You mentioned that you are sure SSGT Carpentier would have stopped LC Smith if there was rape going on. I am trying to repute about your statement that you are sure (the word sure is bold and underlined) he would stop it. I am pointing out to you that he made a bad decision by abandoning her lying or sitting down on the pavement, and you yourself admitted that he made that bad decision. My analogy here is if he made such bad decision, how can you be sure he would have stopped the rape? Is it not possible he could have made a bad decision also of not stopping it, assuming he was aware there was something wrong going on at that time?
6/9/2006
At the same hearing on Friday, Noel Paule and Jaime Avila, the bike patrol officers who helped the victim after she was allegedly dumped on at the Alava Pier by the suspects, testified.
The 51-year-old Olongapo-based contractor was among those who saw Nicole being unloaded by Americans from a Kia Starex van at around 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 1, 2005, at the Alava Pier.
He was the first person on record to speak to Nicole minutes after the alleged rape, and was the first to testify to her first statements after the Americans allegedly left her at the pier.
“The taller American was holding her legs, while the shorter American was holding the upper part of the body, particularly the arm … Then they put her down on the pavement,” Khonghun said, testifying in fluent English.
He later identified the taller one as Silkwood and the shorter one as Smith, the soldier who said he had consensual sex with Nicole.
Khonghun and his group were standing at the seawall, about 15 to 10 meters away from the parking lot, when they saw a dark-colored Starex van stop behind his van.
He saw an African-American, whom he later identified as Duplantis, walk out of the van a bit wobbly. The man walked to the curb and sat there.
Another man, later identified as Silkwood, alighted next.
Said Khonghun: “A bottle of beer was in his hand. He then emptied [the bottle and] and threw [it] on the pavement. He then returned to the van and I saw him holding both legs of a person.
“The other end [of the woman] was supported by another Caucasian,” later identified as Smith.
Feet first
Asked to demonstrate, the witness said Smith carried the woman under her armpits, while Silkwood held her behind her legs near her ankles.
With her pants pulled down below her knees, the woman was carried out of the van feet first.
Nicole had barely recovered from her initial weeping when Khonghun was asked to identify the woman he saw being unloaded from the van.
The complainant mustered her strength to rise and identify herself.
When asked what happened next, Khonghun said the van drove away as soon as the Americans had unloaded the woman.
The servicemen then ran toward the ship, leaving the woman lying on the pavement.
“I saw her sitting around four feet away from the right side of the rear portion of [my] van, a little bit trying to reach her pants with both her hands,” said Khonghun.
Alitaptap said,
October 21, 2006 at 1:48 am
Semper Fi: FYI here are two independent witnesses that would corroborate that Nicole was too drunk to walk on her own to the van:
6/2/2006 Gerald Muyot, a security guard at the Neptune Bar at the former US Subic Bay Naval base near Olongapo city, west of Manila, told the court that on the night of Nov. 1, 2005, he saw the woman — identified only as “Nicole” — looking drunk and unconscious and being carried on the back of a serviceman.
“She’s with me and we gotta go now,” Muyot quoted Smith as saying as he left the bar with the woman.
Tomas Corpus Jr., an in-house security for the same bar and another witness for the prosecution, said the victim was already tipsy when he saw her inside a function room of the same bar
TK said,
October 22, 2006 at 2:39 am
Semper Fi, when something like this happens to a member or a unit of the corps, the actions of those supposed “marines” could be labeled as “conduct unbecoming” what will happen to their careers should they be found “not” guilty
anonymous2 said,
October 22, 2006 at 5:00 am
SEMPER FI, let me jaz point some things regarding your very first comment.
1st, they actually called this case ‘US against the FILIPINO PEOPLE’ because we all know the domination of the US over our country. even nicole’s mother said that they are told not to continue the case or it will be trade-off to joc2 bolante’s case. if u will only try to study that particular incident u wud learn that this case is not just inside the courtroom. beyond a legal battle, nicole has to get the support of the people to bring pressure to those who are not performing their jobs well (such as the public prosecutors and the Dept. of Justice as well for a poor justice system).
2nd, isn’t it enough reason (being a filipino) to side on nicole. on the simplest logic that would count. in any case, the petition is posted here. people can scan and read ALL the factual articles, releases, updates on the hearings and they can even read NICOLE’S MESSAGE here. it’s all here. my point is they can only access the petition here, if they some queries and doubts, they can open all the articles written here before signing or even if they are going to sign, besides this blogsite is made for people to know details and facts regarding the case. if only some people will learn how to read before saying such things. on the side of TFSR, i heard they are having some forums on universities and schools regarding this case (e.g. PUP-STAMESA, BICOL UNIVERSITY). i know i was even invited in one of its activities. another, they have conducted a support program for nicole in UP Diliman. they have offered poems and songs for nicole and they have discussed to the attendees the whole case, how it all took place, and even familial background of nicole. would that satisfy your 2ndparagraph of the 2nd comment.
3rd, how do you feel that the Philippines is actually turning into a BIG PRACTICE GROUND for militaries of the US that are being used for its wars? the VFA helped Philippines a lot, yeah, they have made prostitution a bigger problem. if you have been to Subic you will see women and even children (including boys) doing this kind of job because they think that these americans are their saviors from their hunger and cronic crisis. isn’t that enough reason to be one in abolishing such agreement? another thing, did you ever asked yourself what is the gain of the Filipino (even american) people for this agreement? under the balikatan exercises, the cases of rape (committed by us soldiers) have increased, but because people think that these people are high end ones they choose not to pursue. what did the government say about this balikatan, it is for the counter terrorism, but have you think who the real terrorists are? they rape, they even kill innocent people, and there are cases of harrasments on some communities (particular in mindanao) committed by these american soldiers who are making the Philippines a huge practice ground. and they can go out from that easily because of using this agreement. and lastly, why do we have to help the US on their wars of terror (by giving permission to the US government make the whole Philippines a practice ground)? isn’t it odd that we are actually helping the BIGGEST TERRORIST of the world to do their evil acts? yet, our government still say that we have to pursue the campaign against terrorism. (just for thought, even the United States gave 100+ definitions of acts of terrorism, see, they even don’t know what exactly terrorism is) in the first place why would they have to make our country the practice ground, can’t they do that on their own country, besides it’s their war.
‘i am NOT siding with anyone! If the Marine(s) are truly guilty may they be found guilty! If not, let them be freed and hope everyone learned something and move on’ — REMEMBER SAYING THIS?
well, please take a look again on your own comment. and please read it again. it’s kinda inconsistent, that statement and the whole assessment.
“I am not advocating not signing the petition. I am hoping to influence you to think in a mature educated manner so you can make an informed decision to sign this petition or not.” — HOW ABOUT THIS ONE?
if you will take another look on the whole comment (from the very first statement up to the last) you will notice that you are not just advocating not to sign the petition but you are actually accusing people (supporters of nicole) for not giving enough knowledge about the case. if that’s the case, THEN WHY THIS BLOG IS MADE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
see how inconsistent your statements are?
everyone is entitled for their own opinions, TRUE. but it goes with knowing the whole truth as well. i guess, even TOWNS would not risk their name and credibility for nothing.
may i just use your own words…
I am hoping to influence you to think in a mature educated manner so you can make an informed… move to say what the people need to hear.
Smokescreen said,
October 23, 2006 at 3:05 am
Honestly, I thought I was alone about my opinion… I don’t have to rewrite SEMPER FI’s because it would just make this blog longer.
I hope we will all realize the importance of this case, so it won’t happen again. Our country was once hailed for its people’s values. We were very particular about what to do and what not to do. Nakakahiya pag nakita ang isang babae kasama ang isang lalaki; it wasn’t proper to clothe yourself in such a way that would make men look at you with lust.
I guess we all realized that this culture is slowly deteriorating when we made Kris Aquino a role model — instead of the us (or even the church) pointing a finger at her for being the reason why a family was torn apart; or telling her that being tactless is not right all the time, we condoned her and showed her that everything she did was right, and that she was just a victim. The media highlighted the part where we were looking at an underdog with the courage to stand up again and face the challenges that would eventually lead her to success. At this point in crisis, this is what every Filipino wants to be — successful. And seeing a person like Kris succeed means we can also do it. But instead of learning from the past, we are slowly being made to believe that the end justifies the means. It doesn’t matter anymore what people think about you as long as you’re doing what you think is right and pleasant for you.
My point is that we have to learn these so that it won’t happen to our loved ones in the future:
1. We must show we love our daughters – let’s be their first date; the ones to give them their first bouquet of flowers – so they won’t think that they’re only special to those who will treat them kindly, and eventually fall for them.
2. If you’re looking for the right one, he/she cannot be found at the bar. You will only see people who have a vacuum within them (or wants), trying to fill it up with a lot of things.
3. Drinking doesn’t necessarily make you cool. Vultures out there think that it’s easier to get a prey that doesn’t know how to control herself. On the other hand, a really nice man would like to have a lasting relationship with a responsible lady. (Guess what? My wife is a pretty, mestiza, cool gimikera who doesn’t drink or smoke!) Guys are more attracted to ladies who are confident about themselves.
4. If you’re a Filipina, act like one, especially in front of a guy. Although gone are the days when one stolen kiss obliges a man to marry a girl (I know it’s not necessary), we have to remember the essence, which is, Filipinas must be treated with respect, and they must also act in such a way that people would respect them.
5. Dress up appropriately. Some girls like being stared at when they wear clothes with plunging necklines, mini-skirts, or low-waist jeans. What they don’t know is that men categorize girls in their minds. That’s the reason why in the Filipino culture, there are stereotypes– pang bahay, at pang etc. That’s why some naughty boys look for easy to get girls and yet they want to mary a virgin. I’m not saying that you should not follow the trend (which is dictated by the fashion industry that tries to make women look like sex objects), but just think for yourself, and don’t base it on what the media tells you is right for you. They get paid for it, and they are being used so you would think public perception is the right thing.
I don’t know the facts because I wasn’t there, and I am neither encouraging nor discouraging anyone to sign up. I sure hope that God would really give wisdom to those who will decide on this matter. But the more important thing is, let’s prevent this from happening again. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas, Mabuhay ang Kulturang Pilipino!
TK said,
October 23, 2006 at 3:22 am
I agree with smokescreen’s comments (1-5 + Kris)
My wife will tell you that I’m No Kris fan. I abhor her shows (the tsimis and game shows)
But I also believe that no one has any right to point a gun at her and threaten her with physical injury.
I also believe that even if Nicole did not follow points 1-5, no one has any right to rape her or to treat her like a pig.
Mas masahol pa sa pangaapi ang panggagahasa. Hindi tunay na mga lalaki ang mga hindi pumigil at gumawa ng panggagahasa sa kanya.
Hindi kasama sa Kulturang Pilipino o Kulturang Kano ang mambaboy ng babae…nakaminiskirt man o nakaterno.
anonymous2 said,
October 23, 2006 at 6:58 am
smokescreen…
u know wat. der is really no such thing as kultrurang pilipino. are we forgetting that our culture is just a mixture of the cultures of those nationalities who had been here and became part of our history.
example, being conservative, didn’t we just got that from our spanish colonizers.
of course i agree with your opinion that Kris is not really a good role model for all. but, come to think of it, humans are rational being, they can choose who can be a good model for them. and also, Kris’ characters are not generally showing the filipino characters as a whole.
again, about the culture thing. let say some about your list.
i agree with your first and secong points. we should be the ones to make our children feel that they’re special. and of course you won’t find a serious relationship inside the bars and even if you found one that’s a rare case.
about the third one, its as if only ‘decent’ girls have the right to have a ‘decent’ guy. i mean, how about those who work as a prostitute (for example) do they not deserve to be treated with respect and have a good kind of relationship – just because they are not ‘DECENT’ people because they have that kind of job – and be happy?
fourth, i guess its not only the filipinas or women in general who should act in such a way that someone will respect them. it should goes to every individual. it is not an excuse that you are a man, so you can sometimes act roughly (that’s a very pa-macho and sexist character).
lastly, there is no such thing as women categories, hindi totoong may mga babaeng dapat na pambahay lng, its as if you are categorizing girls on the way they look, talk, act etc. ano may babaeng pang-trophy dahil maganda, may babaeng dapat umaako ng responsibilidad dahil tamad ang partner niya. ginagawa na kasing rason ng mga lalaking walang silbi ang mga bagay na ito para naman magkaroon ng justification ang katamaran nila, pagiging iresponsable, etc.
gee.. hindi pedestal ang babae at robot na pwedeng piliin ang design ng pagkabuo na dapat ganito, dapat ganyan. hindi lang ang mga babae ang dapat na magbantay sa kanilang kilos at pag-uugali kundi ang lahat. kapag nagsuot ng maikli ang mga babae does that automatically make them unworthy for any respect? of course not! ang lahat ng ito ay pagpapakita kung gaano ang lipunang ito ay MACHO at SEXISTA.
hindi babasaging porselana ang mga babae. dapat PANTAY ang turing. walang pambahay lang, walang hindi deserving sa respetong dapat ibigay sa kanya bilang tao. kahit mga prostitued women deserves to be treated well, why do we all know their stories why they have to work like that? wag tayong gumawa ng mga PAMANTAYAN at SUKATAN ng tao. walang taong malinis. EACH and EVERYBODY have their own flaws.
gusto ko lang sabihin din na, NO ONE deserves to be raped. kahit pa mga so called prostituted women. kung sa mag-asawa pwedeng may maganap ng rape. sa hindi pa.
im not into any arguements nor debate or kahit away. gusto ko lang na sana malinaw sa atin that we are not actually making the culture of this society it is the society and nature of our environment that is dictating on what culture should we have.
Smokescreen said,
October 23, 2006 at 7:43 am
Anonymous2, I agree with you. It is chauvinistic to say that the world categorizes women, but I am saying what I see. Can’t you see it in this situation? I hope I won’t get crucified for saying the obvious. It is what other people think that make them put nicole in a box. It’s the opinion of both of us that this has to be stopped.
Like TK, I agree that it doesn’t mean that just because she went out with the guys, she’s already a whore, and the marine should get away with it. If he is guilty, then so be it. I didn’t dwell on it as we can just wait for the decision (and most of the points have been said already), but I focused on how we can do things positively.
If there is no Filipino culture, or if there are things that we have to change in the culture, then we have to start now, even with the children, so that the next generation won’t fall for the same mistakes.
Smokescreen said,
October 23, 2006 at 7:59 am
Lastly, let’s Accept the Brutal Facts of life (including the present culture), Anticipate a Brighter Future (by setting the right course), then Act Boldly.
TK said,
October 23, 2006 at 8:36 am
Maybe guys like us can start by not categorizing women as pang kasal or pang whatever. we have to accept the brutal fact that commercial sex workers are victims too. they too can be raped… Men too, pre.
Melba said,
October 23, 2006 at 1:26 pm
When almost everyone pointed a finger on “Nicole” or anyone woman for that matter as the main culprit for man’s lustful aggression, moral decadence and unbecoming of a Filipina, I wonder then, how do we categorize and typify Filipino men or American men.
It is pathetic to discover that perhaps if we tally all comments, opinions and feedback…most, if not all, speak of how “NIcole” should have behaved. How a woman should be categorized as respectful or not based on narrow and colonial impressions among men and conservative hypocrites.
May we all be enlightened and get back to the real issue of violence against women and the correct a common misconception that a woman is “asking for it” when a man behaves like a wild beast and whose brains are most often dangling between his legs.
Semper Fi said,
October 23, 2006 at 2:21 pm
To Alitaptap, October 21, 2006 at 1:09 am
You bring up a few pieces of the dilemma that are puzzling but they don’t “corroborate the case in favor of Nicole”. You as well as I know that when this incident 1st came to light the Philippine people went wild with fanatical anger based on what information was being delivered to them through the Philippine media. (6 US MARINES GANG RAPE FILIPINA) What a terrible thing to happen, enough to make your blood boil.
But as the “INVESTIGATION” progressed, the blood began to thin and the anger subside because the headline was wrong. (They were trying to sell papers, as we should all know.)
Anyway, to think the Marines could find a 3rd party Filipino witness, (if their was one) to corroborate their story after the media rage, that wasn’t and isn’t going to happen. (THIS IS REALITY) The person (s) would have been eaten alive by media and countrymen so to speak for talking. I assume you are Filipino so think, if you were in their shoes at that time, how would they/you react. You would keep your mouth shut; it’s the custom in the Philippines or at least in the Subic area anyway. “They are only foreigners” is pretty much the saying around here.
The SSgt’s poor decision of letting Nicole out of the van in her state is in no question wrong! I tried to give you an idea of what may have been going through the SSgt’s head at that time, based on the situation occurring. But you cannot associate by any comparison, to let a girl out of a van improperly, to a decision to close your eyes to rape. It’s unthinkable! Incomparable!
Mr. Khonghun statements appear to be simple and clear as to what he saw. His version, of what he observed from 10 to 15 meters away. I think there is more to this but if I comment I will be inundated with complaints. All I will say is if 10, people observe a crime 1st hand, you get about 5 different versions of how it happened.
The June 6th statement by Mr. Muyot, a security guard at the Neptune Bar, only reconfirms what I was trying to say earlier concerning the connotation of “CARRY” IT SOUNDS LIKE; Nicole was unwilling to get in the van. It looks like a lawyer tactic or media trick to try and make people think she left the club against her will. Your article you posted confirms, Nicole was riding on the Marines back. But I ask anyone, how can you carry someone on your back, unconscious, or sleeping? It cannot be done! Try it! The person carried must have a conscious thought to lock their arms around the neck of the carrier, and compress their stomach muscles (assuming the carrier is holding the legs) or they will flop over backwards or side ways automatically. The position is simply impossible to carryout unless the carried is willing and contented enough, for the carrier to be carrying them.
Mr. Corpus testified that he observed Nicole “Tipsy” inside the function room, of the same bar she met Smith. Another attempt at lawyers trying to show she was intoxicated. Tipsy is not a defining word to say she was very drunk. But I think, they were all very drunk and having a good time. It still looks like it was two young intoxicated persons having consensual sex.
Semper Fi said,
October 23, 2006 at 2:24 pm
To TK, October 22, 2006 at 2:39 am,
concerning charges of “conduct unbecoming” or other charges filed by the USMC towards the Marines pending judgment in PI, if the Marines are found not guilty of the charge of rape in the Philippines. Tough question because it refers to actual military law and procedures. I think, and this is based on not having access to the proper military books, or having read the entirety of the legal aspects of the VFA or knowing what the Marine Corps procedures are for handling this situation. If someone has more informed information than mine, if you care too, by all means share it.
Until then, here is what I think may happen.
If guilty, they will be turned over to Philippine authorities as per the guidelines of the VFA to face their punishment once the Philippine court assesses it. Administratively, the Marines will be transferred to what I believe is ?????? I think it is called inactive duty. They complete their prison sentence in the respective country (Philippines in this case), return to the US upon their release from prison. The Marine corps, I believe, has the option to administratively discharge, dishonorably discharge them, or make them fulfill their original contract. Meaning they have to make up the years, months, days they owe to the Marine Corps if the Marine Corps desire’s them too.
If they are found not guilty in the Philippines, they will return to duty where ever the Marine Corps assigns them. From there, Yes, if I am not mistaken the Marine Corps can file other charges against the Marines. The incident was investigated by a variety of organizations to include the Naval Criminal investigating service (Manila). With that investigation the Marine Corps can file whatever charges are applicable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. But, since the Philippines took over jurisdiction of the alleged crime of rape, I don’t think, (but I am not sure) that the USMC could recharge them with the crime of rape since a verdict had already been established in Philippine courts. The US military is extremely strict when it comes to punishing its members. Especially the Marine Corps! A lot of crimes committed by US military personnel in the US are turned over to military courts do to the harsher punishments than the civilian courts. Again, if someone has a more knowledgeable answer, go ahead.
Semper Fi said,
October 23, 2006 at 2:27 pm
To: anonymous2 said, October 22, 2006 at 5:00 am
The US does not dominate the Philippines. The “Filipino People” voluntarily elect your government’s officials who make the decision for the people, hopefully based on what the MAJORITY of the people want. Granted, all people of any country have criticism on how things are being run in each homeland to include the US people complaining about its own internal affairs. But the US does not run/dominate this country.
Nicole’s complaints with her lawyers came almost at the very end of trial when things did not go the way she had hoped in the last week or so. During all the other sessions I observed/read there were no problems between Nicole and her lawyers. What good does it do to change lawyers at the end? The case was finished. You can complain of their poor representation but change them at this point of the game is unthinkable! The media frenzy seemed more like a smoke screen to cover what’s really going on. While I am on it, what good did it do to announce a boycott of not going to the trial anymore? They had one session left, minus the verdict in November when they came up with this idea. The bottom line, her lawyer may not have done as good a job as Nicole and followers wished, but I highly doubt with all this attention to the case that the lawyer(s) would put their own reputation at risk by purposely doing a shabby job. It’s their life’s work put in front of their countrymen. Who would want to do badly?
Nicole’s mother’s trade-off remark concerning Bolante and Nicole’s case is ridiculous. For anyone to think for a second that the “Bolante” case and the Marine’s case our remotely associated is not funny. It’s Hilarious! Sorry, I can’t comment on this except to say I can’t believe people believe this, as it is absurd.
No, just being Filipino does not automatically mean you side with Nicole. If people have this attitude of taking sides because of race or ethnicity, what justice would any Over Sea’s Filipino worker/tourist have, accused of a crime in a foreign country? None, and if that racist attitude affected the justice system, it would be unfair, making the justice system ineffective which, would destabilize its international relations, causing havoc internally at some point down the road.
As I have said before, I am not saying don’t sign the petition if you believe in Nicole’s story. All I have done is ensure that people surfing in don’t blindly sign a petition or don’t know there is another side to the story. You want to bring light to Nicole’s victory and I want to ensure justice.
The groups/gatherings/talks in the various colleges you mentioned that raise awareness concerning rape is great. Hopefully the discussions are guided in a way that women learn how to protect themselves in various circumstances. If they are trying to learn/discuss only what happened to Nicole, it is not as valuable to them because its rareness. There are 1000’s of rape cases pending in the Philippine courts. Better if discussions concentrate on how the top 10 rapes came about and the protective measures woman can take to guard against them. Nicole’s situation has a simple preventive measure don’t drink so much.
Being that the United States is currently at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, I don’t think we are using the Philippines as a “BIG PRACTICE GROUND”.
As far as the VFA is enhancing prostitution, I don’t see how that could be since everywhere the US active duty military person goes in the Philippines and anywhere else around the world now a days they are pretty well confined/restricted/watched/secured for a variety of reasons but mainly security. As far as Subic, Angeles, Barretto, you may see quite a few white people running around but don’t assume they are Americans as most are Europeans. Talk to them and listen to their accents. If they are Americans they sure are not active duty military, which means the VFA does not cover them. By the way, its not the VFA driving as you said, women and children into prostitution, it’s the poor Philippine economy. Concentrate on the economy and job creation and you will see prostitution go down!
You bring up increases in rape; harassment, innocent killings in the Philippines by US Forces particularly in Mindanao, and you say the US military get out of it through the VFA. When, who, what part of the Philippines did these incidents occur? I think everyone missed these incidents including the media. Please elaborate!
The VFA is debatable on both sides. Who does it benefit? I think, both countries (My opinion), but who am I to judge what legal experts from both countries banged heads against each other to achieve what each though to be mutual. In general, Americans may think they spend too many tax dollars to support causes in the Philippines and else where. The Filipinos may think that Americans have too many freedoms in their country. But it is a political issue that I don’t care too be involved with so I don’t have a lot of comment on it.
If you don’t like the VFA or want to help fight terrorism, I suggest you write your congressmen, senators, and form groups etc to lobby against what ever it is you disagree with. If you think the US is a terrorist fine, bring attention to it, that’s what a free society is all about. Remember though a terrorist state does not have freedom of speech as a luxury. So fight it or live it!
TK said,
October 23, 2006 at 2:56 pm
Sounds like those guys are in deep doo, Semper. I hope the USMEN in uniform will think twice before they think of anything dishonorable towards FILIPINA women… maybe something good will come out of this whether Justice prevails or not, atleast Nicole has made those men remember American History, specifically the Revolutionary Flag that says “Don’t Tread On Me”
TK said,
October 23, 2006 at 3:01 pm
I appreciate your response, man. God Bless the American Way of Life!
Alitaptap said,
October 23, 2006 at 6:17 pm
To Semper Fi:
All I am asking is a witness to corroborate what the 4 US Marines said that she walked on her own to the van and out of the van. You are asking me if I were one of the witnesses, I don’t see any big deal about telling the media what I saw. If I saw Nicole was walking out of the van contrary to what Mr. Khonghun saw, I would make the statement of what I have seen.
My question is how you can say you can ASSURE us, when you said: “I assure you it would have been halted immediately by the Staff Sergeant at the 1st sign of trouble by Nicole”. Tell me how can you guarantee SSGT Carpentier would do that? Are you the one controlling his action that you can assure us? You wished he would stop it, but that is not a guarantee that you can assure us that is what he was going to do at that time.
Carrying a dead-drunk man or woman on your back? Of course it can be done. Contrary to what you said, the unconscious person can be carried without locking the arms around the neck of the carrier, but dangling behind the back of the carrier.
You are entitled to your own opinion that it was a consensual sex, but I am entitled to tell you about my opinion that you are wrong based on the circumstantial evidence. The Prosecutors have presented many witnesses to backup that Nicole was dead-drunk to have a consensual sex, but not a single witness came up to say that Nicole was not dead-drunk at that time. No one came up to say that Nicole walked in the van and out of the van on her own. Timoteo Soriano Jr. was there, I wish he would come up and tell us what he saw. However, his actions tell us more than what he can say. He hired his own private lawyer to depend him about his right not to speak up to protect himself from being self-incriminated. If there was no rape, all he has to do is speak up and tell us the truth, and he won’t be incriminated. But he took the other option of protecting himself from being self-incriminated. And permit me to ask you, why would he be scared of being self-incriminated if there was no rape?
Justice Seeker said,
October 24, 2006 at 5:50 am
Thank you Semper Fi for saying many of the things that I have thought about this case. You have given a possible scenerio to those who seem to have a lynch mob mentallity. Hopefully, this will affect a few people’s thought processes enough to keep them from blindly backing Nicole (alleged rape victim or embarassed liar) without any degree of certainty other than “Nicole said it”. The witnesses were not witness to a rape. They witnessed someone carrying a helpless, unconscious victim? Or someone taking a piggyback ride? If it was the former, why were authorities not notified? I also heard that the van driver initially stated that there was no rape. Afterwards, he had been beaten up or roughed up. Suddenly, he thinks maybe something happened but he retains an attorney to protect himself.
What I would like to know is, where is the justice for the marines website? I believe that these young men are totally innocent of this crime. They have lost a year of their young lives and may never escape the stigma of a false rape charge, even if exonerated. Do I have proof that they are innocent? Not solid proof, but there is no solid proof that they did what they are accused of either. No, the only proof that I have is the fact that I know the accused, Dan Smith. I know him, I know how he lives, I know how he was raised, I know that he’s respectful and decent, and I know that he’s innocent. What can I do with this knowledge? Absolutely nothing! But at least I have a legitimate opinion based on personal knowledge and experience. I don’t understand the people here who would have these young men tossed to the dogs because of their political agenda concerning the VFA or hatred of U.S., marines, or men in general.
One last thing that has bothered me a lot. I have read several entries in these pages about U.S. Marines and other U.S. military personnel raping and abusing innocents all over the world and even U.S. men raping the women in the U.S. You must put the headlines into context by considering the sheer numbers of people who are NOT raping and pilaging. Most Americans are decent, hard working people who simply want to love and raise their families and be happy. I’m a middle-aged woman and I have never been raped or known anyone who has been raped. I sleep with my doors unlocked and neither I nor my husband owns a gun. In fact, I’m not sure if anyone in my extended family owns one. Not that I’m against gun ownership, but the perspective of others is that the U.S. is so violent. The cities can be very violent in certain areas and there are incidents here and there, but I have never lived any part of my life in fear.
Anyway, I never meant to go on and on. I’m just saddened by the media’s affect on the world’s view of our citizens, military and civilian.
Alitaptap said,
October 24, 2006 at 1:15 pm
Justice Seeker: Here are examples of incidence of your violent country. Even innocent children in the schools are now becoming victims of your too much freedom for people to own guns. The very recent one that happened in Lancaster County in Pennsylvania, is very unimmaginable to happen for those young Amish school girls, driven by sexual abuse of an American.
9/28/2006:Colorado school gunman kills hostage, self. Shooter held six girls
Oct. 24,2000: Glendale, AZ: A masked teen-age gunman dressed in camouflage took a teacher and about 10 students hostage at an elementary school in this Phoenix suburb on Tuesday before a police negotiator convinced him to surrender, authorities said
9/27/2006 Platte Canyon student tells 9NEWS about ‘chaos’ inside school. A hostage situation inside Platte Canyon High School ended after the SWAT team rushed in. During the raid, one of the female students being held hostage was shot in the head and the gunman killed himself.
10/02/2006: Man storms Amish school, kills 3, self
anonymous2 said,
October 24, 2006 at 3:21 pm
SEMPER FI,
first, the domination of the US is very obvious, though indirect, people can see that the government is actually making our own policies and programs to give way to rich countries especially US. like for example, do we really need this Balikatan Exercises? what for? terrorism fights? that a big stupidity. HOW WOULD YOU FIGHT SOMETHING THAT EVEN YOU HAS A VAGUE MEANING ON IT?
PUBLIC PROSECUTORS are there to represent the people of the Philippines since RAPE IS A PUBLIC CRIME. i have attended some of the hearing and i can see how POR their performance is. from the very beginning, they are not doing their jobs well. they even don’t know what to ask their own witnesses, while the private prosecutor is not given any chance of asking question just because she is under direct suprvision of the public prosecutors. and just because they have insecurities with the private lawyer. why only now that they have done that? because it is actually our country’s own DEPARTMENT OF (in)JUSTICE is making this case move slowly!!! they would NOT really risk their credibilities simply because they DON”T HAVE any in the first place.
the issue on the trade off is not doubtful. i actually did not get surprised about it the moment i heard the Bolante case. why? because, OUR OWN PRESIDENT is INVOLVED on that issue. she knows that when bolante will have to face the consequences of the case she will be in hot water too. and for her to escape on it. she’ll have to do such thing.
the reason why i said being a filipino automatically gives us the need to side on nicole is because this is a publi crime (again) against the US soldiers. ENSURING JUSTICE MEANS GIVING SUPPORT TO THE VICTIM. true filipinos do not risk their reputations to have money (well, its another story when it comes to the corrupt politicians) it is always said that nicole just want money. for the record their family is a middle class. she had her education in one of the prestigious university in the country. it is only because of this case that they are having a slight problems financially.
one cannot say that she can prevent herself during those kind of incidents, remember, MEN ARE BIOLOGICALLY STRONGER THAN WOMEN, even a woman is not drunk she cannot ensure her safety when attacked by men. preventive measures are good, but isn’t it better to say that this kind of things should be STOPPED. and another thing, i would like to reiterate again that women who drinks, smoke and even who works as a prostitute DOES NOT give anyone enough reason to commit rape!
“Being that the United States is currently at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, I don’t think we are using the Philippines as a “BIG PRACTICE GROUND”.”
— how can say so? and why does the US have to be here GETTING READY just for their own war? the US is BIGGER than the Philippines, why do they have to be here instead of doing it on their own country? thay teir own, can’t thaey just make it there?!?
yeah, it’s not only the americans that are here in the country. but it is the US MILITARIES that we’re talking about. why don’t you ask other countries if they are also experiencing the same scenarios. i know some japanese people who are also in the same struggle with VFA and US MILITARY BASES!! true, it is the poor economic condition that pushes women and children into prostitution, but again, i particularized on some places when i said it is the US militaries, and they are TAKING ADVANTAGE of the situations of these people.
people missed those informations (even medias) simply because people know that they will not get any attention since our own government does not care for their own people! i don’t have to elaborate on it, if you really are observing things around you and listen to small people you would know that!
“If you don’t like the VFA or want to help fight terrorism, I suggest you write your congressmen, senators, and form groups etc to lobby against what ever it is you disagree with. If you think the US is a terrorist fine, bring attention to it, that’s what a free society is all about. Remember though a terrorist state does not have freedom of speech as a luxury. So fight it or live it!”
— writing to them is no use. they won’t even read it. besides those politicians are not for the people, so why the need to collaborate with them?!? and one thing more, FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS NOT JUST A PRIVILEGE IT IS A BASIC RIGHT FOR FILIPINOS, we don’t just enjoy it as a luxury.
anonymous2 said,
October 24, 2006 at 3:37 pm
JUSTICE SEEKER,
about the driver of the van, i would like to clarify that his FIRST STATEMENT is that there is really a rape committed. and not like what you said.
why don’t you broaden what your eyes can see. people you know are not the only people in the world. there are really many cases of rape, abuses, and harrassments in many parts of the world comitted by US (and other countries as well) militaries, it’s just that US is a powerful country to fight against.
you know SMITH personally, why don’t you tell him to be ashamed and repent on what he did and continuously doing.
Alitaptap said,
October 24, 2006 at 5:19 pm
To Justice Seeker and Semper Fi:
This is the reason why we are seeking justice for all our women that was raped by US Military men in the past, we can no longer tolerate the injustices we experienced based on the following history:
Precedence
Meanwhile, Judge Dorentino Floresta of the Regional Trial Court of Region III in Gapan, Nueva Ecija admitted in a separate interview with Bulatlat that Katrina Legarda had reason to doubt that the investigation would prosper at the Olongapo court.
Floresta, who served as Assistant City Prosecutor of Olongapo in 1980-1990, Provincial Prosecutor of Zambales (1990-2000) and at the same time Olongapo Special Prosecutor for Child Abuse, said most sexual abuse cases filed before the Olongapo City Prosecutor against American servicemen were dismissed.
The women’s group Gabriela has documented in the period 1980-1988, 15 cases of sexual child abuse (aged 11-16 years old) and 82 cases of sex-related abuses on women (aged 16 years and above) filed against U.S. servicemen based at both the Subic Naval Base and the Clark Air Base in Angeles City, Pampanga. The group said all cases were dismissed and many more were unreported.
With several child sexual abuse cases, the DSWD asked the Zambales court to create a Special Prosecution Court for Child Abuse in 1990, Floresta said. He said most of the cases recorded from 1980-1985 involved American servicemen.
The RTC judge however said that many of such cases did not prosper in court because the complainants were paid by the accused. “Inaareglo na lang ang mga kaso” (the cases were settled out of court), he said.
Of all the cases during his term, Floresta said, only two prospered in court. The first was a statutory rape case against an American serviceman who sexually abused an eight-year-old girl in 1991. Floresta only remembers the victim as a daughter of a prostituted woman in Olongapo. The accused was placed under legal hold but was detained inside the naval base under U.S. custody.
“May sarili silang detention center sa loob ng base, di-aircon pa. Kaya hindi natin alam kung ano ba ang kalagayan ng akusado, kung nakakulong ba talaga o kung nakakalabas” (The U.S. base had its own detention center with an aircon. We didn’t know the condition of the accused, whether he was really in custody or was set free), he said.
Floresta said the accused was able to sneak out of the country when U.S. servicemen were flown out of the naval base following the Mt. Pinatubo eruption middle of the year. The accused never came back to the country and remains at large to this day, he said.
Bias
Floresta said that in rape cases, there seems to be a bias against bar girls or prostituted women. In most cases he handled, the accused, whether an American serviceman or not, were acquitted simply because the complainants were bar girls. He added that during his time of service at the Olongapo Prosecutor’s Office, no accused was ever convicted of the crime of rape against a bar girl.
In one case in 1987, the veteran prosecutor said, an American serviceman skipped prosecution after allegedly raping and killing a bar girl in this city. The victim, a woman from Surigao province in her early 20s, was found to have a lipstick cover embedded inside her vagina after an autopsy.
Degraded as they are, Floresta said, the bar girls who cried rape were only offered a small amount of money to prevent a court case. “Binabarat lang nuon ang mga bar girl. Binabayaran lang ng P10,000. Kasi yung katayuan nila mahirap lang kaya sa tingin nila malaki na yun” (Bar girl [victims] were only given measly amounts like P10,000. Being poor, they thought the money offered was big), he said.
In the Surigao case, Floresta said the victim’s brother, a policeman, reportedly took some P60,000 from the accused. The case never reached the court.
Evelyn Marzan, a prostituted woman when the U.S. bases were still in operation, said she had known of co-workers who have been sexually abused. “Pero pinapayuhan na lang namin sila na huwag na magsampa ng kaso, magpabayad na lang sila” (We would just tell them not to file any case and just accept payment), she said.
“Kasi pag nagreklamo naman kami sa pulis sinasabi sa amin wag na kami magreklamo kasi trabaho naman namin yun” (If we complained to the police, they would tell us not to complain because it was part of our job as prostitutes), she added.
Floresta attributes this culture of immunity from sexual abuses to the people’s lack of trust in the country’s justice system. Cases take long to settle and victims see no certainty in winning so they just accept some money, he said.
Against the world’s strongest army
“Para akong umaakyat sa bundok” (It’s an uphill battle), was how Floresta described how he handled cases against the U.S servicemen, considered to be the strongest army in the world.
“Mahusay ang mga Amerikano, pinagtatanggol nila ang mga akusado” (American authorities are good in protecting their own accused), he said.
Floresta told how the U.S. military would keep a legal team inside the base specifically to handle sexual abuse and other cases filed against their men. U.S. Marines also had a discreet investigation team that went around town to look for the victims’ family, he said. “Pag nakita na nila ang mga kamag-anak, ooferan nila ng pera para hindi na ituloy ang kaso” (If they see relatives [of the victims], they would offer them money to prevent a court case), he said.
He had also been warned by American lawyers that there would be grave effects on Philippine-U.S. relations if he continued prosecuting American servicemen, he recalled.
Aside from pressure coming from the American lawyers, he said he was also told by the city government to slow down on rape cases because it could affect the image of the city. “Ayaw nila ma-publicize na ganun ang nangyayari sa Olongapo” (They don’t want any publicity about what’s happening in Olongapo), he said.
Political will
Floresta said he understood how much pressure beset the prosecution team and the prosecution’s office in relation to the latest rape case in Olongapo. His advice: “Pag alam ng mga Amerikano na wala kang ginagawang hanky-panky, irerespeto ka lang. Yun ang natutunan ko sa kanila. Pag alam nila na pinaglalaban mo ang iyong karapatan, irerespeto ka nila. Pero pag hindi, pag bigay ka lang ng bigay, lalong hindi ka irerespeto. Lalong ida-down ka nila.” (If the Americans know you don’t do any hanky-panky, they’ll respect you. Giving in will just not gain any respect from them – they just make sure you lose.)
Despite the odds, Floresta sees that the case against the six U.S. servicemen would prosper. “Kung suportado ng mamamayanan, mahirapan gumapang ang mga Amerikano nyan” (If the people support the case, the Americans would face a difficult hurdle), he said. Bulatlat
Alitaptap said,
October 25, 2006 at 1:32 pm
Michelle Arroyo just posted an article in Abante that LC Dan Smith has no hard feelings in the Philippines, as well as for the Filipino people. I would like to make a comment about her article. Any foreigners, who come to the Philippines to do whatever business they have here and use our women for their entertainment, should never be welcomed to come to the Philippines.
roselle rivera said,
October 25, 2006 at 10:08 pm
wow! exciting ang balitaktakan dito ngayon ha.
nawala lang ako for some weeks at ito na ang bundok
at dagat ng usapan ngayon.
pati mga pangalan/pseudonyms ng mga nagbibigay ng
mga argumento ay napakamalikhain (mas creative) na.
sige, basahin ko muna ng husto para naman alam ko ang
mga pananaw na pinagdedebatehan. tapos pagkatapos na lang ako maakikisali.
yun din sana ang gawin ng mga nagblo-blog dito. magbasa muna bago maglahad ng mga pinaniniwalaan….historical baga ang sharing of views and values…….at sa tingin ko nga, mahirap din mawala yung hindi maging emotional kasi nga ganun nga, napakaemotional naman talaga ng isyu na pinaguusapan………buhay ito……..lalo na kasi buhay ni nicole, hindi lang blog……..
lapit na ng nov 27!!!!!!!!!haaaaaaaaay
roselle
anonymous said,
October 26, 2006 at 3:19 am
I would like to make a comment as one of the parents of one of these boys. I won’t say which one because it doesn’t matter as they are all in this together. I can tell you that I speak for all of us in saying we support our sons and believe our sons. We have had a year of hell with this case, we have seen our sons go through things that no one should ever have to go through. I would like to echo Semper Fi’s comments that things are not always as they seem. From the beginning of this case it has been clear that there is an agenda. I think Nicole unfortunately got caught up in that agenda and once it got going she was unable to stop it. I know my son, and I know how he was raised and I know that he would never be a party to rape whether actively or as a bystander. One thing that people have overlooked is the fact that they have all stuck to their story. Do you honestly think that if they had to face life in prison for something that someone else did one of them wouldn’t say hey this is what happened and I am not going down for this? But they know what the truth is and have stayed commited to the truth. I truly feel sorry for Nicole, she has become a victim, not by the American soldiers, but by the political factions within her own country. She has allowed herself to become swept up in a political agenda that has nothing to do with her or her case but whose sole purpose is to make America look bad and to abolish the VFA agreement. Why? That is and has been from the beginning very obvious, to allow terrorist organizations to invade your country. If the Americans are no longer protecting your country what do you think will become of it? The terrorist groups will move in and overthrow your government. They have convinced Nicole and her family that they have her best interest but that is not true, their only interest is to abolish the VFA that was very apparent very early on. When this is all done and over with Nicole, you can bet they will be gone, and moved on to the next big headline…aka the next poor sap that looks at a pretty girl.
These young men have lost a year of their lives to your political movement and it is time for them to come home. Whatever promises you were made Nicole by these groups I’m sorry to say will probably never materialize, I’m sure you were promised visa’s as some of the comments you have made in the media have indicated. I know you tried to recant your story early on but were pressured to continue with this charade, probably with false promises. I hope some day you can redirect your strength and perserverance at the people who got you into this mess.
Semper Fi said,
October 26, 2006 at 9:43 am
To TK, October 23, 2006 at 2:56 pm
The Marines will remember Nicole, for what I am sure the Marines perceive as an injustice. (Being they have been in custody for about a year now) When your made to answer for a crime you have not committed, it is frustrating to say the least. I have been in their situation, but for other charges, I was pretty angry about having to defend myself on trumped up charges not to mention the money and time it took from me, my kids, and wife.
They did not tread on Nicole. She trampled herself when she opened her legs and let a stranger in.
Semper Fi
Semper Fi said,
October 26, 2006 at 9:53 am
To Alitaptap October 23, 2006 at 6:17 pm
I explained in detail previously why you would not find a Filipino witness in SBMA or SUBIC area to support any American claim after what hoopla the media displayed last year!
What Filipino would counter their countrymen after what the entire country displayed to include many of its prestigious leaders!
I suspect you don’t live in this area to get this feeling that is made pretty clear to me. Any statement that would have countered Nicole’s story would be going against the country.
Because, certain people whom I am not sure of, and the local MEDIA which I am sure of, turned it into a Filipino against Americans, when it was and still is 4 male Americans against 1 Filipina female.
Anyway, to find anyone that would have had the inner fortitude to verify or counter the Marines claims was not and is not going to happen. (If there was anyone to verify/counter the Marines version)
My comment concerning the SSGT was based on what I observed SSgt’s doing for 20 years, part of which I did first hand and influenced for a few years!
THE SSGT WOULD NOT HAVE LET A RAPE OCCUR!
Something you would not know if you had no military familiarity, especially of the USMC.
That’s why I initially stated what my assessments were derived from so you would understand I know the character of a Marine Staff Non commissioned officer from watching them for 20 years.
Nope, I disagree, IMPOSSIBLE, you cannot be carried in a piggyback fashion and not be somewhat aware.
(Those that don’t know, piggyback is an expression, meaning ride on the back of someone with your legs around their waist and arms around the neck.) Typical expression from a child to parent in the US is “can I have a piggyback ride”, usually done for fun. It does not mean you were carried like a pig.
Anyway, The person carried, will flop over at some point while being carried unless the arms are holding on around the neck OR the stomach muscles are compressed to keep you from falling left or right or flopping backwards. It does not matter if the carrier is leaning over a little; the carried has to help, making the carried conscious.
Why the contradiction in stories has come about, I would relate to “lawyering” and to ALL parties drunkenness.
You mention Mr. Soriano so here is my take, Mr. Soriano has a big reason to be afraid of incriminating himself even if there were no rape. Why you may ask, once he saw the (6) Marines being railroaded by the Hall of Justice Olongapo, it would be enough for anyone to shut his mouth and seek legal council just as he did. During that time, the “people” including the Hall of Justice Olongapo, wanted blood, to go against that was not going to happen.
2nd there is no question that Mr. Soriano will be chastised by his countrymen if he ever decides to say what happened.
I do wish he would speak AGAIN! As he did when Vice President of the Philippines, Mr. Noli DeCastro interviewed him. If you remember very soon after the incident occurred, this interview aired and the QUESTION (S) 1st emerged of did a rape occur, and the question of HOW did the SBMA police conduct their initial investigation. Mr. Soriano was pretty clear the techniques used on him by the police were threats; intimidation and physical blows to get him to write the statement that the police wanted.
Everyone seemed to forget about this and it did not appear to be allowed in court. But, it did happen.
Yes, I agree, Mr. Soriano’s actions do speak pretty clearly. The one man Filipino who knows what happened had to close his mouth for fear of retribution by his own justice system and his own countrymen. These actions DON’T support Nicole’s story!
Semper Fi
Semper Fi said,
October 26, 2006 at 10:00 am
To, Justice Seeker October 24, 2006 at 5:50 am
The Justice for Marines “website” you mention is nonexistent because the case is too sensitive to bring light in a political arena “HERE” in the Philippines!
The United States has to deal with world problem (s). This is not a world problem; it’s a criminal case being heard in an appropriate justice system so not much light is drawn to it up to this point. That could change.
The Philippines views the case as colossal wrong doing to the people of the country when its not. It’s a criminal case that came about because two intoxicated people had sex and now they have differences on if it were consensual or not.
The “6 Marines Gang Rape Filipina” headline which stirred a fury of emotion amongst Filipino’s has long since been dispelled as wrong. Why has it become so personal to so many Filipino’s, Emotions continued to be stirred up by the media just like that initial headline! Unfortunate. Anything Nicole did was on TV almost immediatley in some instances.
Anyway, from where I sit, the United States (US Embassy Manila) is; “Hoping” justice will prevail through the Philippine justice system.
The Philippine justice system has a stigma of improper handling of cases in the past on both sides. The plaintiff, Nicole to this day confirms her distrust of her own countries justice system.
The US Embassy, (Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney) cannot comment except to say I hope a fair and a just trial is achieved or words to that effect. Why, you may ask? As unfortunate as it may sound, its politics! She (The Ambassador and her advisors) knows of the pitfalls of the justice system here but it’s out of their authority. Even to comment publicly on it could draw media frenzy. In hopes that the Philippine justice has improved over years to be fair to all, the diplomatic thing for them to do is sit and watch. If the US Embassy publicly criticizes what is going on concerning the way the case is being handled, they may be perceived at attempting to use power to influence the case. The local media would twist it into frenzy. If the Embassy is to praise what the Philippine justice system is doing, again they may be perceived as having made a deal. So they cant really say much in regards to the case, they can only HOPE for a fair, impartial trial, and that justice will prevail! Lets ALL hope that happens.
Semper Fi
Semper Fi said,
October 26, 2006 at 10:09 am
To, anonymous2 said, October 24, 2006 at 3:21 pm
1st, I am lost in how the US dominates the Philippines. I live here and all I see is Filipino’s running the show.
As far as international business, yes the US is leaps and bounds ahead. Unfortunately the Philippines even in comparison to its Asian neighbors are unbelievably far behind.
Your leaders are trying to identify the problems and make appropriate solutions to get your economy going. It seems to be working from what I see though I am not an expert in economics or the markets. Anyway, you got so far behind it’s going to take years for you, the people, to see any effect. But don’t blame the US or any other country for what your elected leaders failed to do in the past, and letting the country plunge into such poverty that is seen today.
Balikatan exercises, if you don’t like them, educate yourself why, and write your congressman.
I have done the exercise years ago; I found the bonding by the Marines of both countries good for everyone. We learned from each other not just training and tactics but about each other’s culture. It was great, and everyone departed ways with better thoughts of each other.
If Nicole feels her lawyer’s did a poor job, I guess that gives her some incentive on what to be when she finally grows up.
Remember a public prosecutor/defense attorney is inundated with cases. I still don’t believe they purposely did a poor job.
Bolante case for Nicole case, get off this issue. It makes you look foolish when you believe something so ridiculous.
I agree it does not appear Nicole is going after money. As I said in my 1st comments in this blog, her reason for the case is she lost face, in public when she found herself half dressed with a condom stuck out of her panties. She had no other way to save her reputation but to claim rape. Who prompted her to do this I am not sure, but I don’t think SBMA police helped to get to the true matter on the initial investigation.
You mention because you are a Filipino you should automatically be on Nicole’s side. If you take a side in a situation like this based solely on the persons Nationality that’s prejudice. Racial discrimination and Justice don’t mix. So no, I strongly disagree.
I disagree again that the US is using the Philippines as a training ground. The US is at war in two different countries. I don’t think you understand how small the exercises in the Philippines are in comparison to the training and exercises with in the US and around the rest of the world. If you took one Mango off a fully-grown fruit bearing Mango tree, the one piece of fruit would represent the US training in the Philippines and the rest on the tree would represent the training/wars going on around the rest of the world to include inside the US. It’s really not that big here.
You mention the quoted below in relation to my comment telling you to write your leaders if you have a problem with something, namely the VFA. You said,
, “writing to them is no use. they won’t even read it. besides those politicians are not for the people, so why the need to collaborate with them”
Your comment is sad. If you cannot communicate to your elected officials, and you don’t trust them, then don’t continuously vote them into office. Vote for people that do work for the people and don’t except anything less! You sound like you have given up on your leaders.
Semper Fi
Semper Fi said,
October 26, 2006 at 10:28 am
To, Alitaptap October 24, 2006 at 5:19 pm
I agree, a prostitute does not deserve to be raped, no question about it. But a woman in that line of work is not going to have the credibility that a woman not in that line of work has. So most of your examples of lopsided law, I question with out having both sides of the story. Even if they were not a bargirl, I only see one side so I am one to question the validity of their stories. (Not the article you found and posted)
I was here during 95 percent of the periods you covered and I saw and experienced the Wild Wild West show on the streets 1st hand.
There were a lot of dishonest acts going on between all people, Filipino, American and any other national that passed through.
Most incidents were settled out of court or even inside the local police station. Even now, what do most lawyers want to do? Settle out of court. That’s a fact!
Nicole could not take that option even if she wanted too. It would make her look like the typical money grubbing scam. EVERYONE would have ridiculed her!
Of course there were agreements between the US military and Filipino justice departments years ago when the US bases where here. There had to be as there was a massive amount of people in the areas around the bases. Don’t automatically instill a sense that it was completely lopsided in favor of the US.
I saw 1st hand a Marine accused of involuntary manslaughter turned over to the US military legal system because the Philippine justice system was not sure they could get a conviction and the militaries punishment would have been more severe. So don’t throw in all these facts and figures and stories again because everyone knows there is two sides to this and every other story.
The military brig in Subic was kept quite full of military members not conforming to the law outside the gate and inside the gate.
My final story is intended to raise a little hesitation to NOT all, but some of the alleged abuses that occurred over the timeline you mentioned.
Again I said some, because yes, when that many people are around each other in those days, doing the things they were doing, with the amount of alcohol that was being consumed by everyone, and lets not forget the massive amount of money being spent, with all these factors there is going to be crime, there is also going to be plenty of scams too.
If the Philippine justice system was turning a blind eye to certain issues back then, shame on them.
Getting to the story, The Marine’s manning any gate(s) inside SBMA previously known as Subic Naval base, wore camouflage uniforms.
A new Marine Corps policy was adopted that required Marines to have their names sewn on the upper breast pocket of the uniform.
This policy was deferred to Marines stationed in Subic, but some Marines reported in with the nametags already sewn in. While on post the sewn on name tags had to either be removed or covered with a greenish or black tape.
You may ask why, in order to protect our Marines we had to keep his name from being publicly displayed or he may find himself with charges against him for some imaginary crime. Some that indicated he was out in town when the sentry was clearly on post, backed up by exact dates and times in the posts log book.
Some charges reflecting dates of incidents where the person had been out of the country. Rosters of individuals had to be safeguarded because of some one getting a hold of one and randomly trying to file charges. Why, it came down to money.
Another one of the countless scams against the US military during that time.
No question that there may have been some injustices in the past, by both sides, but not one case from the past to date have anything to do with the Marines awaiting judgment this November. Nothing, zero, wala! Each case is an individual case.
If there was some problems in the past with the Justice system, then that only makes it more important for the system to show it works now, by giving a true, unbiased, verdict, no matter how difficult, based on facts of what happened, and the law, not stories, and emotions.
Semper Fi
TK said,
October 26, 2006 at 2:49 pm
Semper, please bear with me, sir, I’m trying to understand your comrades.
is it possible that because of the don’t ask “don’t tell policy of the US armed forces,” grunts like smith (who is probably one of the usual suspects for being GAY because he is your typical “you’re -too -good -looking -to be -straight” kind of person) are forced to prove their “manhood” during R&R’s? Is the fear of being branded as a homosexual so great that to prove their sexual preference they go to the extent of forcing non consenting women during these forays? (Ofcourse raping a woman doesn’t prove you’re straight, you could be bisexual too, agent smith)
TK said,
October 26, 2006 at 2:51 pm
alitaptap et al, itong klaseng katanungan bang ito ay tinanong during the trial? baka naman kaya hindi pinigil ng superior ni smith ang rape ay dahil natatakot itong mapagkamalan ding bading sya?
TK said,
October 26, 2006 at 2:55 pm
Semper sir, do you know what I like most about the US? it’s the women.
there they know their rights. There, they know that if it’s against their will, it’s against the LAW. There, when a woman opens her legs to a stranger when her blood alcohol level is as high as Nicole’s
every woman there knows it’s still rape.
I’m sad that there are only very few women in the Philippines who know their rights as much as US women do. Nicole, God Bless Her, is one of them.
Filipinas said,
October 26, 2006 at 10:02 pm
whatever happens on judgement day, we will always be to the true victims. And they are the US Marines. All of my friends here in US who married to the US Marines, are willing to support this young guys. And also, there are lot of Filipina women here or there in Phils. who have friends, fiance or married to the US Marines, US Navy, US Army are not gonna believed to Nicoles accusations.
melba said,
October 26, 2006 at 10:19 pm
To the parent of one of the accused:
Of course, ma’am/sir, they will stick to their story. The greater question is how come they don’t have anybody else aside from who can corroborate their stories?
If you feel that your son’s life has been ruined. The victim’s life and that of her family has also been in a deeper quagmire.
Ma’am/sir it is a pity that you look at all these as a mere political movement, please remember that the case is an alleged rape committed against a Filipina by the 4 US Marines and as you said, one of them is your son.
But of course, it is understandable if until now, you are still in denial of the crime that was allegedly committed by your son.
I just hope that before you use political factions and movements as a scapegoat, please remember once again that this is all about RAPE.
melba said,
October 27, 2006 at 1:03 pm
To Filipinas:
So what?
Please take note that there are still other individuals in/outside of your crowd, Filipino or not, and who happens to live in/outside of the Philippines who believe and support “Nicole”.
Semper Fi: I thought you digested everything that went on in the hearings and with the case in general. Behind your kilometric comments, lie a biased and uninformed cerebrum or perhaps an outright denial of facts so obvious in the case. (i.e Delos Santos’s maneuverings of the case and the poor performance of Nolibien Quiambao plus the significance of the Bolante case in that of Nicole’s).
You know I truly tried to capture the fundamentals of your theory but for all it’s worth I found out that your statements actually don’t hold water. Let of go of such pretense.
Semper Fi said,
October 27, 2006 at 2:30 pm
To TK, October 26, 2006 at 2:49 pm / October 26, 2006 at 2:51 pm that was to Alitaptap / October 26, 2006 at 2:55 pm
TK, You appear to be whipping out your remarks to include the one in Taglish, with out much thought, which leaves me with no alternative but to go spend time with my kids.
By the way, your 3rd comment was worth responding too. But the 2 prior remarks you made, remind me that it is a waste of time to discuss anything with you.
Thanks; Please keep your unwitting remarks coming, so I don’t feel I should waste time responding to them.
Semper Fi.
Semper Fi said,
October 27, 2006 at 2:52 pm
To melba October 26, 2006 at 10:19 pm’
I think what the anonymous parent was trying to convey concerning the, I quote you, “they will stick to their story”, is that the Marines stories have not changed since day one. Their stories are fairly simple and consistent.
Typically in a group of people accused of a serious crime, to include Marines, if they are lying, playing them against each other in order to get the true story will break at least one of them. This is real life not the movies. They know they are going to a foreign prison if found guilty. Marines are loyal, but not loyal enough to go to prison for someone else.
In the Marine’s case, “all” accounts seem realistic, and they are all consistent. All have a fairly simple description of events, that has not changed since the begining. I think this is what the parent was trying to convey.
The rest of your comment to the anonymous parent I have either explained the “WHY” or “WHY NOTs” in previous comments or your words were running with emotion instead of thought which warrent no comment!
Melba and other readers, please remember, this is NOT all about RAPE as you ended your comment with Melba.
It’s about JUSTICE and don’t forget, JUSTICE is a two way street! Lets hope Justice prevails!!!!!!!
Semper Fi
melba said,
October 27, 2006 at 10:17 pm
Please do not confuse the logic of the case Semper Fi, if only to insist your point. The case is about RAPE and the 4 US Marines you have been trying to obviously defend albeit masked have allegedly done so.
And justice was never within reach for the victim, hence the move of the TRSR. Worse, she had to wrestle with her very own state prosecutors who are bent on losing her case.
And I thought you read and analyzed the case too well. You did not even notice the change of statements and the inconsistencies of the US Marines since the very first time they were interrogated by the NCIS. Come on.
One more thing, you are at liberty not to respond. If my words, however, compelled you to do so, it is no longer my fault. There is not even a battle of wits where your statements are concerned. You just seemed too convinced your statements bear logic and balance when from the outset you just beat around the bush and the more you expound the more biased and unbalanced they have become.
Renato Jose B. Rosales said,
October 28, 2006 at 4:44 pm
No one deserves to be raped!!!Anyway, all you arrogant and abusive americans, your paying for your sins to weak people and smaller nations.More and more of your soldiers are dying in Iraq and Afghnistan! There will be more because of your sins to my country.God bless Nicole and the Philippines.
Semper Fi said,
October 29, 2006 at 8:21 am
To Melba October 27, 2006 at 10:17 pm
As far as inconsistencies brought up during trial, No, it looks to me to be lawyers, laywering. IE: Twisting facts/statements to suit a client. It was obvious what the prosecutor was trying to do.
To enlighten you regarding the rest of your remarks, NO, I am not confusing the logic of the case, but I may be insisting a point(s) because you obviously don’t see the common sense that are behind them! I am simply pointing out that there are TWO sides of the path to JUSTICE. You advocate for the people of the Philippines and the Philippine justice system to look at one path (guilty) because you’re “KABABAYANS”. No question about it, read the petition.
My previous analogies, assessments, and comments are based on quite a large assortment of experiences on dealing with Filipina’s, the Philippines, and Marines. I’m not just talk! I have lived it! My main point from the beginning was, and still is, reminding people that before they sign a petition of this nature or side with someone, which ever side it is, to think first. Not just sign a petition because of your Nationality, or your dislike for a Nationality.
Now, what story do I favor? Pretty clear I lean towards the Marines version. Too many things distract from Nicole’s version of what happened. But, I am not leaning towards the Marines just because they are Marines and I am not saying don’t sign the petition if you truly believe Nicole’s version.
May I remind you, I have 3 filipina girls, that I try to protect as much as any father could protect their daughters to include seeing justice for persons truly guilty of rape. I was on middle ground when I formed my decision. I watched and observed the entire incident/case/side shows unfold 1st. Then I came to an opinion. If the Marines are truly guilty, fine, so be it. But give them a fair trial! I still advocate, JUSTICE FOR ALL, but I don’t believe in hanging an innocent person because of popular opinion, or because they are not your Kababayan! That’s what this petition appears to want and that is NOT Justice.
Semper Fi
TK said,
October 29, 2006 at 3:28 pm
To RJB Rosales, No one deserves it, sir. Not Nicole, Not any woman, and certainly not those marines who are dying in Iraq BECAUSE of their country (NOT for their country)
They too were screwed when they were made to believe in the lie of WMD. So please, go easy on them.
Those marines dying in IRAQ have no Blood debt with our country, IMHO. We should fight to change the Foreign Policy of the US state dept. and not wish those poor soldiers ill.
Michael Dalid said,
October 30, 2006 at 8:03 am
To Renato Jose B and Melba…
Your partiality is blinding you to the fact that many of those opinions that were thrown here have some very valid points. I’m beginning to beliv thatf your iqs are really below 60. To think, you claim to be Filipinos, my kababayans, nahihiya na ako sa inyo, sobrang kabobohan naman ata yung di tumatanggap ng opinion ng iba, dont cha think? The way Nicole is acting up nowadays, i’m beginning to see what really transpired on that day…..
Semper Fi said,
October 30, 2006 at 5:18 pm
Pray!
Jay said,
October 31, 2006 at 6:33 am
I’m also a Filipino who lives here in United States. I am working in a medical field. Semfer Fi you are very right. I find it also difficult to believe that anyone can carry an unconscious person by “piggyback” without falling. I went back and read all the news regarding that testimony and all of them says that Nicole was carried by piggyback. Impossible!!!!!
Semfer Fi all your comments are well taken and logical. You are sticking to the subject matter. I find TK comments about Smith being gay and bading out of line.
melba said,
October 31, 2006 at 1:36 pm
I didn’t know you’re a walking psychometrician and by way of your evaluation, it echoes a description of you, too.
Jay, perhaps some firemen and some soldiers are using the same method in times of haste and perceived emergency.
Filipinas said,
October 31, 2006 at 4:01 pm
To Melba:
You are getting out of line. Im sure you are one of the people who is trying to get visa to US but got denied. Your attitude is not accepted here in US. Sounds like amazon. full of anger and hatred!
EMILY said,
October 31, 2006 at 4:01 pm
To Melba:
You are getting out of line. Im sure you are one of the people who is trying to get visa to US but got denied. Your attitude is not accepted here in US. Sounds like amazon. full of anger and hatred!
melba said,
November 1, 2006 at 7:58 am
OOpss hahahaha! another big hahahahha!
Anger, hatred?
Believe me neither have I set my toes in the US embassy my dear, nor ever wished to bomb Iraq!
CrossFire said,
November 1, 2006 at 9:16 pm
I have yet to see Gerald Muyot’s direct statement that Nicole was carried like “piggyback”. I read a reporter said she was carried “piggyback” but that is not the exact word that came from Gerald Muyot.
Here are some of the reports about how Mr. Muyot saw Nicole being carried on the back:
“he (Gerald Muyot) saw the woman identified only as “Nicole” looking drunk and unconscious and being carried on the back of a serviceman.”
“he saw the woman — identified only as “Nicole” — looking drunk and unconscious and being carried “like a stick” on the back of a serviceman”
Gerald Muyot did not specifically say Nicole was carried “piggyback”. Whoever says “piggyback” is making an assumption and I don’t think that is the case. There are other ways you can carry a person on your back.
jay said,
November 1, 2006 at 10:04 pm
Piggyback means pasan sa likod whereas shoulder lift means pasan sa balikat. That statement “like a stick'” on the back of the serviceman seems to mean piggyback because of the word back not shoulder.
Melba, I don’t have to be a genius to figure that out. Try carrying a dummy on your back and you will find out. And if you watch the war movies you will see that unconscious soldiers are carried by shoulder lift and those who are injured and conscious are carried by piggyback.
Name calling is a sign of desperation. Stay on the subject matter, okey?
CrossFire said,
November 2, 2006 at 1:54 am
Well, that is your interpretation, but it can be interpreted differently. I think to carry someone, she has to be supported by the shoulder and not the back. How can the weight, which is pull down by the earth’s gravity, be supported by the back if the one carrying is in the standing position, unless the guy is in the crawling position. The back is supporting the lateral move of the body, but the shoulder is the main support of the weight due to the earth’s gravitational force.
Alitaptap said,
November 2, 2006 at 2:14 am
I agree with CrossFire, I researched all the statment made by Gerald Muyot, and I can not see that he directly mentioned that Nicole was carried on piggyback. If anyone there could show us that Mr. Muyot directly said that she was carried like piggyback, then by all means please post it here with the corresponding site where that came from. Now, if you guys are interpreting his words that she was carried piggyback, then you are entitled to your own opinion but your opinion does not mean that is the fact. Unfortunately, the defense did not grill Mr. Muyot on how he witnessed the exact way Nicole was carried.
CrossFire said,
November 2, 2006 at 2:54 am
My interpretation of Gerald Muyot’s carry on the back statement is not piggyback but fireman’s carry. The following is a description of fireman’s carry:
The fireman’s carry is a technique that allows one to carry another person without assistance. It is referred to as the “fireman’s carry” because it is the most common way for firefighters to carry injured or unconscious people away from danger. However, this technique of carrying another human being is also used in other circumstances. Soldiers have been known to use this technique to carry wounded comrades. Lifeguards are sometimes trained to use the fireman’s carry. The “fireman’s carry takedown” is also a popular wrestling move,
Technique
The proper technique of the fireman’s carry requires carrying the subject over both shoulders. To perform the fireman’s carry, the carrier would grasp the subject’s wrist and put the subject’s arm across one of his shoulders. Then, the carrier would reach between the subject’s legs, passing his arm between the subject’s legs and then grasping behind the subject’s thigh. To avoid back injuries, it is important for the carrier to lift the subject using the strength of his legs. The carrier would have hold of the wrist of the subject and his other arm would be holding onto one of the legs of the subject. The subject would have one arm and one leg hanging freely behind the carrier’s back.
Carrying someone in this manner has several advantages. The subject’s torso is fairly level, which helps prevent further injuries. When the subject’s weight is evenly distributed over both shoulders, it is easier to carry her for a longer distance.
CrossFire said,
November 2, 2006 at 3:08 am
Melba, I think the above description of fireman’s carry would support your comment to Jay: “Jay, perhaps some firemen and some soldiers are using the same method in times of haste and perceived emergency”.
For illustration of fireman’s carry, go to the flwg. website:
Melba said,
November 2, 2006 at 2:11 pm
I was thinking in that line too. Anyway, in all circumstances, I believe a hand/hands of the one carrying can hold the arms or support the legs of the person being carried if only to defy gravity.
I can only recall “bakay-bakay” was the term used to describe how “Nicole” was carried by the witness.
Jay said,
November 3, 2006 at 5:02 am
Crossfire, if the words “like a stick” on the back of a serviceman” was used -that to me doesn’t mean fireman lift. It seemed to me that it was an upright position which could mean that Nicole was not unconscious, or the witness was lying. The point is she could not have been carried by piggyback if she is unconscious. And the marines claimed that she walked to the van.
melba said,
November 3, 2006 at 8:00 am
Of course, the Marines would insist.
But who corroborated this statement by the US Marines? No one.
At least “Nicole” got a witness to explain her flight to the van. Between your assumption and that of the witness I’d rather stick to the witness’s testimony.
Chona said,
November 5, 2006 at 3:41 am
Common sense lang ang kulang nyo….. Totoo pala mga sinasabi ng mga MTC forumers d2 sa forums na tu, mga walang utak ang mga taong andito…. Sus, ang babaw talaga ng utak, haha, Melba, jay,Crossfire= iisang tao lang, multiple personality syndrome atak, ang kitid ng utak pa hahaha…….
Renato Jose B. Rosales said,
November 5, 2006 at 3:17 pm
Hey dalid boy! That’s my opinion processed from what I’ve seen, heard and read! I don’t give a Shit about yours or your iq!I’ve made my choice, so lay off!
CrossFire said,
November 6, 2006 at 6:55 pm
Chona:
Halatang halata na ikaw ang mababaw ang utak. Paano mo nasabi na si Melba, CrossFire, at Jay ay iisang tao lang? Samantalang yong previous discussion namin ni Jay, eh nag kaka salungatan nga kami. Basahin mo ang Item nos. 79 & 82. So, sino sa atin ang mababaw ang utak? Bago ka mag bitaw ng salita, mag research ka muna. Oo nga, si Melba at ako ay nagkaka ayon sa aming paniniwala at paniningdigan, pero si Melba at ako na si CrossFire ay hindi iisang tao. Laliman mo naman ang iyong panganga tuwiran.
bryan said,
November 7, 2006 at 4:20 pm
hello emily,well,i am just one of the few people who knows her and her families dirt!wag ko kamo ibulgar?why not?i can do that but you know what?we never know.do you know how she looks like?wanna see her?anyway,yes S.F.N is her real name.i am glad you did noticed those little things that is very important in the case. i mean come on philippines it’s too obvious!or just want to pretend that nothing is wrong with the case. i really wanted to help those americans. i know somethings that might help but we will see. anyway i am really looking forward to the final decision.whatever happens we knows best who is the PROFESSIONAL HOOKERS HERE AND THE REAL VICTIMS.you know what emily you shouldnt pity that woman cause whatever is happening now is what she wants.what do you think about all the funds of this stupid crap?you think she’s not earning from all this?yes she is!see???her camp is been telling the news people that her younger sister is no longer studying and stopped because they’re out of money because of this fight?well guess what?it’s not true actually her sister is studying in a private school in zamboanga and their canteen is improving A LOT!LOOK I DONT MIND IF SHE WINS IF SHE IS REALLY A VICTIM,BUT THE FUNNY THING IS SHE’S NOT.COME ON LET’S STOP THIS PHILIPPNES SHOULD STOP CHEATING!IT’S NOT REALLY A GOOD THING TO BE MARKED ON US!
CrossFire said,
November 7, 2006 at 6:49 pm
Just want to comment about Atty. Katrina Legarda’s role in the Subic Rape Case. What I have heard is that she had done her duty to do the preliminary investigation to immediately find out if there was probable cause against the
suspects. The fact that the case was brought to the court for hearing, I would say that Atty. Legarda, backup by CJL and ACCRA Lawyers, did find out that there was a probable cause of the crime. She even said that she was OK with Nicole’s sworn statement, but there are things Nicole did that need corroboration. Atty. Legarda also mentioned that Nicole’s case is not as easy as that of powerful Cong. Romeo Jalosjos case. She even said that Nicole’s case is much more difficult case, and her concern was because of the great political fallout. Excerpts from what had been reported:
She said Philippine officials would always protect RP-US relations, preserve Subic as a tourist haven and place for R&R (rest and recreation) of American military personnel — and “allow the Bush administration to have anything [it wants].”
Justice Seeker said,
November 7, 2006 at 8:28 pm
Here’s an interesting article that I read today from xxxxxxxxxxxxxx. Just thought I’d share it with all of you nice folks. Enjoy…
Accused claims Nicole cried rape to save face
By JEFFERSON ANTIPORDA
The Manila Times Reporter
Lane Corporal Daniel Smith, the principal accused in the Subic rape case, said the complainant cried rape only to save face.
In a 53-page memorandum submitted to Judge Benjamin Pozon of the Makati Regional Trial Court on Monday, Smith asked the court to acquit him on the ground of reasonable doubt, citing the testimonies given by witnesses in open court.
The complainant, given the name Nicole by the court to hide his true identity, accused Smith of raping her on a moving van at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority on the night of November 1 last year. She also said that three other servicemen cheered Smith on as he forced himself on her.
According to the Marine enlisted man, he had indeed had sex with the complainant, but he said it was a consensual act.
In his memorandum, Smith pointed out that his coaccused, L/Cpl. Keith Silkwood and L/Cpl. Dominic Duplantis and S/Sgt. Char Carpetier, corroborated his narration of events that led to the sexual contact between him and the complainant.
The memorandum, prepared by the lawyers Bejamin Formoso and Ricardo Diaz, zeroed in on what it described as Nicole’s selective recollection of the events. It said the complainant didn’t remember sitting on Smith’s lap and exchanging kisses with the accused in the bar or being kissed on the lips, breasts and neck by the accused in the van.
It said she did not struggle if, indeed, she was raped. She did not kick or punch the accused. It noted she advanced for her lack of resistance was that she was drunk and feeling week. But the memorandum said the amount of alcohol she took over a period of several hours was not enough to render her incapable of resisting assault on her honor.
“Feeble resistance or the absence of a struggle [is understandable] if the victim were a minor. However, [here the memorandum identified her by her real name] xxxxxxxxxxxx is no longer a girl of tender years. In this case, a more vigorous resistance to that assault on her honor was to be expected.”
According to the memorandum, Nicole cried rape only to save face, to the woman who saw her on the ground when she got off from the van, to her mother who had wanted her to go home and to her boyfriend Brian Goodrich.
Under the circumstances, the memorandum said, Nicolas was impelled to fabricate the tale of defloration.
CrossFire said,
November 8, 2006 at 1:01 am
One brief comment for Justic Seeker: Of course this is the way it should sound when this memorandum came from the defense. What else is to be expected other than the defense would try to plea for acquittal?
CrossFire said,
November 8, 2006 at 2:13 am
I do not see any reason why the reporter revealed the true identity of Nicole as what was published in the Manila Times. Nicole is still young and has many years of her life to live, win or lost in this case, the best we could give for her to pursue a normal life is to preserve her anonymous identity.
todos said,
November 8, 2006 at 2:46 am
If she is proven to be lying and the court acquits the marines, i’m going to ask for nicole’s head, she ruined the lives of those marines and humiliated her kababayans who were gullible enough to belive her story no matter how inconsistent it was…… tangna, langya yang nicole na yan…. chingga bonana…….
emay said,
November 8, 2006 at 7:40 am
Posts 72 and 73 are the same and at the same time,, but different names. Hmmm, Filipinas and Emily are the same person. How’s that? Caught in the act! So who has multiple personality?
emay said,
November 8, 2006 at 10:03 am
Todos (los Santos?), para ka namang sobrang OA (double superlative yan). Baka hindi mo alam ang sinasabi mo? Ask for Nicole’s head? Bakit gusto mo siyang katayin, abah, extreme ka. Hindi ka dapat nagmumura dito, ikaw ang nakakahiya. Magbigay ka lang ng opinyon, iho or iha,kung saang side ka. Hindi appropriate sa ganitong lugar at usapan ang nagmumura, nakakababa ng pagkatao (low life).
EMILY said,
November 8, 2006 at 1:05 pm
Yes, Emay,you are right! i accept i used Filipinas as my first username here, because, the first time i post comments here i am so nervous that everybody will know my identity. But i realized, whats wrong giving my true name which is Emily, pwede naman pala , Thats why, no more post from username Filipinas, atleast i accept, im not like Nicole, huling huli na, deny to death pa.
analiza said,
November 8, 2006 at 4:14 pm
hoy emay manahimik ka ngang bobo ka!korek ka jan emily.at least totoong tao tayo di katulad nyang si fucking suzy!!!!alam mo mag isip isip kana nicole at ng nanay mo kung kanino kayo nagkasala.malamang karma yan!
bryan said,
November 8, 2006 at 4:18 pm
eh ano bah magagawa mo emily eh nanay na ang nagsasabi na kagalang galang daw ung anak nya.ayaw daw nya mag boyfriend pero kung kani kanino pinasasama.kagalang galang ba yun?consintidor si mama pano kasi gawain din!!PWEH!!kala mo kung sinong malinis!may dignity ka pang nalalaman eh wala naman kayong dignidad eh!
emay said,
November 8, 2006 at 9:17 pm
Analiza – another low life. Wag Patulan!
emay said,
November 8, 2006 at 9:21 pm
Analiza, sa totoo lang kung talagang ka babae eh, iyang mga salita mo, pasangtabi na lang, parang salita ng pros….(i). Low life nga. Nakupo!
bryan said,
November 8, 2006 at 10:00 pm
emay emay emay!ur talking to a girl.can u look at the mirror?i suppose ur a girl too and beside DONT U KNOW ANOTHER WORD ASIDE FROM LOW LIFE?ME I HAVE. U FUCKIN HOE WIL U ZIP THAT GOD DAMN DIRTY MOUTH OF YOURS!nakupo ur stupid no common face!
bryan said,
November 9, 2006 at 4:55 pm
ur exactly right michael.no i dont think they dont know that.i dont get why they didnt have a really careful background check up with this girl and her family and every little dirt she’s been doing with the americans.i bet if they’ll know it.right there and then she’ll be done!
Melba said,
November 11, 2006 at 10:31 pm
Bryan, Michael you can gossip whatever you want about “Nicole” and her family. For whatever it is worth, your statements just sounded that, a gossip and both of you, a gossip tandem.
Bryan, from what I gather from your statements, it seems like you have personal resentments or bitterness over women or perhaps “Nicole” and her family, for that matter.
The whole point is you are losing sight of the issue at hand. Your logic and manners seem to collide.
RAPE is RAPE. No physical attributes or hearsays can diminish the fact that the alleged Rape took place and that the victim deserves to be heard and be given justice. What is more funny is your take on Atty. Legarda, well, it proves even more that you never understood the case from the outset.
Everytime you utter those statements it becomes clearer how narrow you can be and certainly for whatever it is worth you and your words should not be taken seriously, except, of course by those who love to consume them.
Melba said,
November 11, 2006 at 11:09 pm
Crossfire, some broadsheets and tabloids don’t care about confidentiality clauses they just print whatever and whenever they want to.
Some sites in the internet also printed “Nicole’s” name in full. And some bloggers seem to get the high by typing her initials coupled with mudslinging. I can only surmise bitterness, resentments or attention-getting as propellers of these wanton attacks on “Nicole”.
anonimous said,
November 12, 2006 at 2:34 pm
id better go with somebody who know her personally.
Melba said,
November 12, 2006 at 11:44 pm
Certainly, there are a number of them who know her well, including those who support her.
bryan said,
November 13, 2006 at 2:33 pm
so u mean melba people here who’s not in favor or who doesnt believe her have bitterness with her?haha ur kidding me right?what rape is rape?why u sure there is really rape?do u even at least know her to say it?u know for people they could easily give their opinions but for those who really knows her we could conclude.are u aware that she is capable of drinking huh?then why all of a sudden she just got drunk?if that’s what she claimed?and if she is how come she could remember things?come on dont be stupid.besides why isnt she drunk in zamboanga?she’s been hanging out with americans there?why isnt she raped there?because she’s too smart that if she cried rape there no one would believe her cause everybody knows her.just like i said why dont u take time to have a very careful investigation about her and the things that she’s been doing for the last 2 or 3 years u know all the records if possible i know there are interesting ones in there.so u know?say what u want to say…i’ll say want i want to. ok?
bryan said,
November 13, 2006 at 2:46 pm
anyway i forgot about what i noticed with you and emay i think ur just the same paid ones, i know u guys are so into them cause u earn from this but not as much the family does i suppose..
xenia baniqued said,
November 14, 2006 at 12:01 pm
my side is on nicole,americans worldwide are known rapists its in thier culture and blood.its unfortunate that our goverment does not care,come to think of resons its because of money the money the goverment steals from the people is not enough for them.sorry to say for nicole because it wont be easy to defeat a goverment,i wish i could help but im just a minor and have no great connections,dont worry though believe in yourself,karma comes always to the evil.may luck be with you nicole
karla said,
November 14, 2006 at 1:50 pm
oh comon bryan! ur the one who’s being paid here. so we understand if ur saying a lot of words against Nicole. one more thing! as far as i am concern, u really dont know Nicole! stop pretending u know her ok?! coz i know her better!!!
melba said,
November 15, 2006 at 2:15 am
Bryan, it seems that your missing the point. Since when have you been barred from mudslinging “Nicole”? Never.
You can say whatever you want to say, of which you already did. I also write my rejoinder whenever I feel I want to. Of course, enough of counteracting your accusations of people being paid because the truth is you are fond of using irrelevant arguments when your reasons reach its limits and your logic clouded. And so your delusions begin.
My point is whether you are neighbors with “Nicole” or not, it doesn’t matter. It was rather too late for you to announce your wish to help the defense, as you previously hinted. Where were you when they needed one? Impertinent!
It is figured, perhaps, that Black Propaganda is better off if only to discredit the victim. But it only shows how much education you need in order to understand the issue at hand.
In other words, I stand by “Nicole” and her cause.
wastaken said,
November 19, 2006 at 6:09 pm
The question I have is Why Wait 32 Hours to go to the Hospitial ??? if raped ??come on people get real, why on earth would any woman wait 32 hours.
Also to go back to the bars afterwards to look for the Marines when she knew they had to be on ship ??.
Maybe I am wrong about what I read, I try to follow all,I have been there since 2000.
All the Filipina’s I have talked to say the same, Filipina and Filipino alike ,SET UP ,loose face with mom and family mostly boyfriend and to take a chance to loose the income from American,.good excuse cry rape as so many do for money.
Look at the facts look at the truth.be realistic .
Its a fast way to make a lot money by the girl and ploice in so many cases.
why do you think the bars are empty now .
I believe all is a set up and I feel sorry for the service men who have a year waisted from them for a lie from Nicole.
Sorry Nicole ,Don’t drink so much your hotel was in walking distance ,why need a ride unless you wanted something else.
All the Filipina’s there ,your chaseing us away for those good Filipina who want a good life with a good man and to help your family ,all your lies and set ups are distroying all the tourisum there,and making it hard to trust anyone or anyone who want to vacation there.
to the Marines ,Keep faith truth always comes out in the end.
joy ride said,
November 29, 2006 at 4:06 am
The Philippine Star
A security guard out on patrol rescued a 28-year-old handicapped woman from a tricycle driver who allegedly tried to rape her.
Supt. Jose Mario Espino, Muntinlupa City police chief, said the woman, who had a limp, was waiting for a taxi ride in Filinvest, Alabang, when tricycle driver Aldrin Villamente stopped and offered to bring her to her destination.
Villamente later stopped in an isolated area and began to rape the woman. He also robbed her of her mobile phone and cash.
xenia baniqued said,
November 14, 2006 at 12:01 pm
my side is on nicole,americans worldwide are known rapists its in thier culture and blood….. Here you go Xenia, next time think twice before you condemn a culture or other human beings.
joy ridin said,
November 29, 2006 at 1:49 pm
The Philippine Star
A security guard out on patrol rescued a 28-year-old handicapped woman from a tricycle driver who allegedly tried to rape her.
Supt. Jose Mario Espino, Muntinlupa City police chief, said the woman, who had a limp, was waiting for a taxi ride in Filinvest, Alabang, when tricycle driver Aldrin Villamente stopped and offered to bring her to her destination.
Villamente later stopped in an isolated area and began to rape the woman. He also robbed her of her mobile phone and cash.
xenia baniqued said,
November 14, 2006 at 12:01 pm
my side is on nicole,americans worldwide are known rapists its in thier culture and blood. Here you go Xenia, next time you need to think twice before you open your mouth and condemn a country or other human beings.
wondering said,
December 1, 2006 at 12:53 am
My question would be, how could Nicole stand and dance one minute and the next minute be too drunk to close her legs??? That doesnt make any sense to me.
emay said,
December 1, 2006 at 10:39 am
Wondering, Are you thinking it literally, that there was only one minute difference between her dancing and being raped? If you were, that was why it did not make sense to you. Why don’t you try to read more of this case, so you can arrive at an informed opinion and not to keep just wondering.
Taken differently, your post made no sense becauser it did not happen that way. Your assumption was wrong or did not exist, otherwise, show or proove it happened that way.
wondering said,
December 3, 2006 at 3:32 am
OK Emay, I have followed this case from the beginning, I’ve read every newspaper article and listened to the television news reports on this case. I don’t remember the exact duration of time nicole was dancing till she entered the van. The fact she did’nt go home with her stepsister and friend leads me to believe she had other intentions. Alot of testimony given was from alcohol impaired people. The guard, he thought something was strange, then why not ask her if she was ok.. why did’nt nicole yell help? The business man who witnessed her being thrown from the van like a pig, the defense and prosectution never asked if he had any experience dealing with pigs… I’ve never yet seen a pig being throw from a vehicle. Two doctors, one says vaginal bruising consistent with rape, the other doctor says no bruises on the inside of her thighs. She was found with her pants on backwards, meaning they were taken completely off and I would imagine her shoes too. The marine was pressed for time, why not just pull her pants down to her ankles and do his deed? Wastakin has a valid point here, the case is mainly based on how drunk nicole was at the time, but we don’t have any alcohol blood content of Nicole because she waited so long to seek help. That would have been legal documented proof of her toxicity. The van driver, soriano, the main witness, he calls the newspaper and says it’s a lie, there was no rape. Why? What did he have to gain by this? My thoughts are could he have discussed it with his wife, was his concious bothering him? Then, to make matters worse, Jalondoli threatens to press pergury charges against him instead of telling him to come in to his office and lets discuss this. So soriano takes his family and hides till he gets a lawyer, sure seems like he caused himself alot of grief, then refuses to testify. My wife and I just finished discussing this case again, and like wastaken stated,, all our friends feel the same, if this was a jury trial we can’t reach a guilty verdict. Just not enough evidence. We side with semper fi on this one. We believe his analogy summed it all up.
Crissaid said,
December 5, 2006 at 12:49 pm
To Emay with monotone, what validates your knowledge and keeps you believe to your sources of information since your only reading materials are locally made?
wondering said,
December 7, 2006 at 2:17 am
I notice my previous post to emay has dissappeared from this site, possibly because I critisized the way jalandoli threatened soriano with pergury charges and forced him to go into hiding with his family till he was able to retain a lawyer after he called the newspaper and recanted his testimony and said it was a lie and that there was no rape. Very nice way to treat the main witness. I copied this article for all to read. Smith, 21, has been detained at the MCJ since Monday afternoon, when Pozon sentenced him to up to 40 years behind bars for raping Nicole while she was dead drunk inside a moving van at the Subic Bay Freeport before midnight on Nov. 1. The judge ordered Smith to pay Nicole P100,000 in damages. This article states she was dead drunk. No where in the court transcripts do I see an alcohol blood content report. Where is the medical documentation to prove she was dead drunk?????
wastaken said,
December 8, 2006 at 3:31 pm
I feel there’s more to all this ,then we all know ,still why wait 3 days to go to the hospitial????? and what happen during the time before going there ???? And here’s the big question I have ,what about all the Americans in Jail for false rape ,and the Girls who set up Americans for a pay-Off.
Has anyone ever seen a Filipina go to jail for (false Rape for Money) .if they donot get the pay off, or the man is freed cause was false and proven does she go to jail ?????? (Nope)
what about all the innocent ones in jail for false rape and what happens to the bar girl or the aunti or the person who falsely says these things ,are they punished ?????? nope they go onto the next one .
We may not be Perfect in USA but at least we investagate the crime,In the Philippines for the police to do Anything ,Anything at all, if your money is stolen ,You have to pay the police to do there Job and Police will drain you as well, because there income is not enough and they don’t get paid enough to investagate a crime the girl Goes free they just want your money.
I not say all are bad ,There many good people in the Philipiines ,The American always gets the shaft when comes to false charges,I like to see the woman who cries rape go to jail when trieing to extort money.then maybe they not be so fast to say Rape ,which is false.
Maybe if the Goverment help the poeple a little have a better life in someway ,and the police jail the woman who cries false rap. it would be a better place I am not one to judge I know what I seen there.
What would the Philippines do with out the USA helping them with the Abu Sieff ,The NPA ,People who Kill other’s for money ,what would they do without tourisum and the American Dollar ???do the people want live worse and in fear???? with no laws or help .I don’t think those groups are thinking with a full deck.
To common in the Philippines the false rape ,the goverment should do something and the police should do their Jobs for all.
I believe this is just the case 2 young people both drunk haveing fun she could have refused to go no matter how drunk ,she wasn’t forced.
loose face cry rape.now All the woman in the bars and provances who meet American will cry more rape cause now the court made it more easy to extort money ,just look at a girl wrong she may cry rape.Police they don’t care your a bad person true or not ,its the money they seek.what a better pay-off 40 yrs in jail or pay the Girl so yes I look at USA we are not that bad we have freedom and laws.the police do their jobs here we don’t have to pay them or pay the detective to use his cell phone.
wastaken said,
December 9, 2006 at 3:01 pm
xenia baniqued said,
November 14, 2006 at 12:01 pm
my side is on nicole,americans worldwide are known rapists its in thier culture and blood.its unfortunate that our goverment does not care,come to think of resons its because of money the money the goverment steals from the people is not enough for them.sorry to say for nicole because it wont be easy to defeat a goverment,i wish i could help but im just a minor and have no great connections
I See your Parents teach you well little girl to hate Americans,Let me say this please grow up first before makeing such stupid remarks and hatefull comments,Are you Catholic and is that what the church teaches you also about people no matter what the caulture.You don’t know our caulture
Look at yourself first and know the facts,If not for America you still be in Slavery.who do you think got you your freedom starting with the spanish war, then on to ww2 ? America .Read your History.
I see your hate is so bad you can’t see 2 feet in front of you little one .I guess you will never come to USA .I guess all of us Americans are rapist.
There are many good people in the Philippines ,so sad so many suffer cause of the cases like Nicoles, Religion means nothing in the Philippines,and false rape for money and lieing will now start to run wild.
Look out all the tourists the Nicole case put open season on us all .False rape for money, will get worse and worse till no one travels there anymore.its seems like open season on Americans there.
Wondering said,
December 12, 2006 at 1:48 am
Wastaken,, if you read december 11 issue of http://www.philstar.com you will see an interview with soriano by the newspaper. He once again clearly states there was no rape. He opened the backdoor of the van for nicole to get in, she was not that drunk. He also stated the business man was lying about the way she was dropped off from the van. Immediately nicoles attorney threatened to press pergury charges if soriano talks to any more media. This has been a simple case of prejudice from the start. Both times now soriano has tried to tell the truth and has been threatened with perjury charges. These militants don’t care about the truth or Nicole for that matter, only for thier cause and that is to get the united states military out of thier country so they can try to overtake thier government. You asked where this xenia learned this prejudice from, not the catholic churches, not in the schools, one catholic church here in makati has an american priest even, she learned it from her parents and I wouldnt be surprised if they are part of the militant womens groups causing all the problems here. Soriano is a proud and honest filipino, I feel very sorry for the grief him and his family had to go thru over this nicole. This nicole is what I call trash, a disgrace to all the good filipina women in this country. Here she was engaged to be married, kept it a secret about her vacation to her boyfriend and goes to subic of all places. Remember something, the filipine people are very proud people, they live simple lives. Nicoles lawyer led them to believe they were fighting for a cause and not a lie. All these marches down the streets and on roxas blvd. it was all to sway the public and the judge. Someone in here posted a rape with a fellow on a tricycle, have you seen that in any papers since that last article??? Of course not, because he was’nt an american. That judge wasnt going to acquit smith in his kangaroo court, his life would have been in danger and so would his childrens. So he passed the buck to the higher court. Most of these people have no clue what the united states is doing here for the people, they are totally clueless. Smith was railroaded by these militant womens groups, his mistake was the way he dropped her off, she was scorned and became vindictive. I’m very sorry for what happened to smith, it’s a shame soriano couldnt testify and the defense find better witnesses but i dont think they thought it would end up this way. Many of us all hope the united states does a better investigation if there is an appeal. Also, my question is where is the blood alcohol content of Nicoles blood at the time following the alleged rape, why is there not any clinical proof? How do you convict a person on hearsay?
Wondering said,
December 12, 2006 at 2:33 am
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Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Majority of judges say they need guns
THE majority of judges in the Philippines say they need to carry guns amid a rash of killings in the country, a survey released here Monday said.
The survey of 1,512 judges, released by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) research group, found that 64 percent of respondents said they need a firearm and a permit to carry it.
The survey also found 61 percent believe they need to undergo self-defense training in such matters as shooting, the SWS said.
However, only 16 percent said they had guns and permits and only 10 percent said had undergone self-defense training.
A quarter of the judges said they needed armed bodyguards but only 4 percent said they had them. And 92 percent said they should receive extra “hazard pay” for handling dangerous cases. The survey was carried out between October 2005 and February 2006.
Concern about personal security has become more acute in the Philippines amid a rash of killings involving activists, journalists and figures involved in the legal system.
Last week a senior government lawyer involved in a legal wrangle over the construction of a Manila airport terminal was shot dead along with his son in a Manila suburb.
In December 2005 a judge who had ordered the government to pay tens of millions of dollars for the airport terminal was ambushed and killed.
–AFP
Wondering said,
December 12, 2006 at 2:41 am
Philippine STAR
Headlines
Subic van driver says there was no rape
By Michael Punongbayan
Publication Date: [Monday, December 11, 2006]
He was the witness who did not get a chance to take the stand and tell the court what “really happened” inside the vehicle he was driving on the night a 21-year-old United States Marine raped a Filipina.
Timoteo Soriano Jr., the only other Filipino inside the Hyundai Starex van where an American soldier sexually abused 22-year-old “Nicole” in Subic, Zambales last year, did not get an opportunity to tell the world his version of the truth.
But a week after Makati City regional trial court (RTC) Judge Benjamin Pozon sentenced Lance Corporal Daniel John Smith of the US Marine Corps to a 40-year jail sentence for committing the crime of rape, the “missing link” finally told The Star what he could have told the Makati City court.
“If you were to ask me, there was no rape. I don’t know about other people’s views,” he said when asked if Smith raped Nicole.
In an exclusive interview, Soriano said he pities Smith, who is now locked up in the records room of the Makati City Jail as a convicted felon.
“I pity Smith,” he said in the presence of his lawyer, Raulito Paras, adding that he believes his testimony could have resulted in a different verdict.
Soriano said he is not sure of how things were actually said in court about specific incidents that took place on the night of Nov. 1, 2005.
However, Soriano said there was no truth to the claim that Smith carried Nicole on his back (bakay-bakay) from the Neptune Club’s door and loaded her into the van.
“No. She got into the van willingly when I opened the door,” Soriano said.
Soriano’s statement belies the testimony of prosecution witnesses who said that they saw Smith carry Nicole on his back and open the sliding door of the vehicle by himself without anyone’s assistance.
Soriano, however, said it was true that Nicole was left in the club’s parking lot with her pants pulled down after she was carried out of the van.
The 33-year-old company driver said that if he had been called to testify, he would have told the court what he knows, regardless of which side of the case his testimony would favor.
“What I would have said would not have been for one side or the other. I would have spoken about what I know, regardless,” he said.
Soriano said it is also not true that Nicole got very drunk after consuming various alcoholic beverages inside the Neptune Club.
“She had taken alcohol but she was not passed-out drunk as they said she was. She spoke but I could not understand everything she said,” Soriano said.
“The radio was playing but the music was not so loud,” he added. “The radio was playing but we could still understand each other inside the vehicle. They were in the back and I didn’t hear (everything they said). They spoke of different things but Nicole never once shouted from the back.”
Pozon, after months of marathon hearings, found Smith guilty of the crime of rape based on the testimony of 23 prosecution witnesses.
Smith’s lawyers, led by Benjamin Formoso, who worked up with other defense lawyers in representing three other US Marines who allegedly cheered during the rape — Lance Corporals Keith Silkwood, Dominic Duplantis, and Staff Sergeant Chad Carpentier — presented only seven.
The prosecution wanted Soriano to testify but he refused by invoking his right against self-incrimination because he was, technically, included among the accused in the case. ‘Roundabout’
Paras said his client’s role in the case changed from one thing to another — from the time of the rape to the filing of charges before the Olongapo City Prosecutor’s Office, the raffling of the case to an Olongapo City Judge and all the way to the Makati City RTC.
“Mr. Soriano is no ordinary witness because as I said, that is left and right,” Paras said. “Officially, he was a witness, he was a respondent, eventually he was an accused, he was discharged again as an accused and then he was the accessory, and then an accomplice, and then he was a principal, and then eventually he was accused, it was really roundabout.”
“As I said, (Soriano) has been through everything. If there is one who had a very complicated situation during the entire case, that person would be him,” Paras added.
The defense also listed Soriano as a possible witness, but did not present him despite the fact that Soriano was willing and waiting to be called.
Paras said they waited for Smith’s lawyers or the lawyers of the three other Marines to call for their clients because they could not refuse since “he had no technical issue with that.”
“Whether we like it or not, he can be forced to testify by the defense by means of a subpoena,” he said. “I can only speculate, I guess they were so comfortable, worst of all so relaxed, that he is no longer needed by the defense.”
Soriano said it is not about testifying for a given side because it is the court that will eventually decide on how his testimony will be appreciated.
“If they did not file a case against me, I would have testified,” Soriano said. “There was no problem with me testifying. The problem was that, if I testified, what about my case? These things came one on top of another.”
Unfortunately, Paras said his client may no longer see the day that Soriano will be called to testify on what happened inside the van he drove based on what he saw, heard and felt.
He said that, on appeal, appellate or higher courts review based on the records of the lower court and will only send cases back for re-trial if there is new evidence found.
In Soriano’s case, Paras said the trial has ended. There is already a decision, and it would be up to Smith’s lawyers to convince the higher court that there must be a new trial because a new witness has surfaced, he added.
“It can be done — but under exceptional circumstances. I don’t think they can do that while appeal is pending. On appeal, if you will ask for a new trial, you have to be able to convince the Court of Appeals that you have new evidence, you have discovered evidence, or (there is) some evidence that may have been suppressed before, which is available now,” he said.
Paras also said he does not know if the defense can call Soriano a suppressed witness or say his testimony is suppressed evidence “because at that time, he was actually available to the defense. He only refused to testify for the prosecution because he has grounds to refuse.”
Smith’s lawyers are now trying to get him out of jail using provisions of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) that give him the privilege to be detained in a facility agreed upon by both the US and Philippine governments while his case is on appeal.
Today, Pozon will hear a motion for reconsideration regarding his order to detain Smith at the MCJ, where Smith has been staying for seven days.
US Ambassador Kristie Kenney and Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez have already signed an agreement allowing for Smith’s return to the US embassy in Manila, where he stayed during the trial.
Nicole’s private lawyer, Evalyn Ursua, said Soriano was “totally useless to the defense,” a statement made in reaction to Soriano’s statements.
“Obviously (Soriano) is guilty of perjury. On the basis of documents only, we can sue him for perjury. He’s a completely incredible witness,” Ursua said.
Ursua said she advises Soriano not to issue public statements, because there is still a case against pending him as a participant in the rape.
“We are still going after him,” she said, adding that she believes that a separate trial will be held regarding the case against Soriano now that Smith has been convicted.
“He knows that he is guilty in participating in the crime of rape. Since Smith has been convicted, he might be convicted too. He’s digging his own grave,” she added.
“He was not even courageous enough to testify under oath. The defense was also scared that all of the accused may be convicted. Had they presented him, all four could have been convicted. They were scared of the truth, that we will have evidence of conspiracy,” Ursua said
Wondering said,
December 12, 2006 at 9:19 pm
I really love the last line, two people in lust getting it on in the back seat and now she calls it a conspiracy, Haha, I wonder what drug store she frequents..
Crissaid said,
December 12, 2006 at 10:31 pm
Hindi na luma ang tugtugin na yan sa korte sa bayan kong aba…ika nga pera pera lang yan.Hindi ko lubos maisip na pagkakaperahan ng bansa ang pagkakakulong kay Smith kulang na lang ay may pagkalaki-laking mansyon din mailathala sa mga pahayagan at maiulat o maipakita sa telebisyon na malayo na rin ang narating ni Nicole para sa naging tagumpay nya sa pagdinig.Sana maging malinaw sa lahat na hanggat may pera pa na makukuha at aasahan ang mga Buwaya nating kababayan na nasa likod ng pagkakakulong sa Amerikanong sundalo at habang nagiging kontrobersyal lalo ang isyu hindi malayong isang umaga ay makapagpatayo rin ng mansyon si Nicole!Sa katunayan nga ay isa na syang malaking panauhin sa industriya. Kaya kung may magtatanong bakit hindi si Soriano isinali sa mga pagiging akusado o kaya’y maging testigo dahil malinaw po wala po tayo makukuhang malaking pera kung maliit na isda ang gigisahin natin sa korte.
Malas mo lang kung ang kaso mo ay napunta rin sa hukom na tumatanggap ng lagay.
Wondering said,
December 13, 2006 at 2:32 am
Someone had questioned where I got my information on this case, I hope the source is listed in my post. Here is another opinion other than the facts I have posted … Opinion > INQ7 Viewpoints > Letters
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Rights groups sensationalized rape case
INQ7.net
Last updated 06:40am (Mla time) 12/12/2006
TO BE FAIR, as I would say, I couldn’t really say that Lance Corporal Daniel Smith was guilty or not guilty. As I was reading through the articles on the Subic rape case, some parts of “Nicole’s” personality became vague. Why was she there? What was she doing there? Would you dance with a man you don’t even know? If you decide to go on a drinking spree, know your limits. A 23-year-old woman should know her limits.
What I can really say is that women’s rights advocates overly sensationalized this case. These are modern rightwing groups, mind you, groups that we have in Congress, not up in the mountains.
It is very ironic that these groups, like Gabriela, Akbayan and Anakbayan, long defy the government and yet they come back and feast on governments funds to support them. They have misled the nation into thinking that “Nicole” was the victim, when in fact the real victim here was the whole Filipino nation.
Wondering said,
December 13, 2006 at 3:13 pm
This post is to wastaken, I just heard over the abs-cbn news that the department of justice is filing charges against judge pozon for ignorance of the law. It appears to me this was a prejudice case all along and the judge is favoring the womens activist groups.
Wastaken said,
December 13, 2006 at 10:30 pm
I guess I am so upset about this whole deal ,No One has even answered the question ??? WHY DID SHE NOT GO TO THE HOSPITAL RIGHT AWAY ??? A NORMAL WOMAN WOULD HAVE ,AND THEN WOULD HAVE THE TESTS done for rape ???
WHY would anyone wait 3 days ????? if was Raped come on people, and IF she was drunk as to passing out ,How in the Hell could she go back to the club.and not even think of going to the hospitial ,Rape is Rape ,IF was Raped you Go to the Hosipital right away not wait 3 days Period.
That Alone tells me all BS and setup.
I am sorry if i say anything bad about any churches there ,They are good people and have good faith .I mean no disrespect, I am blowing steam when I read all Americans are rapist and knowen for that .
I feel Sorry For smith as he was shafted and the system there railroaded him .
As For nicole I have no words that can say how low a life you are ,How a woman can cry rape and let it get out of control ,Now you distroyed a good young kid helping your country and who could have and would have layed down his life to help the Philipine people, when helping you with the abu sieff and NPA .So you have a better life.
As the saying goes what comes around goes around and you’ll get yours .Your a lieing little B who deserves like many others who do the same to sit in a cell and rot.
My reguards to the Smith Family and I pray for your son ,He is not the first case of this nor will be the last ,as this tpye crime is so common in the Philippines.,
I like to see the real false rape woman go to Prision .and for the ones that truely are Raped ,then that guy should rot in jail.
The philippines and the people are good people in Nature and kind I know so many .when i stay there 6 months of each year.
I see Philippines getting worse and worse with false rape.and really makes it hard for all the rteally good woman and good people there .
For Woman like Nicole you give good people and your country a bad name .
Wastaken said,
December 13, 2006 at 10:36 pm
ok i was just in P.I on the one year mark of this eleged crime (with the us marines)and i must say after training with the marines there and being with the people i think the philipinos are a wonderful people. however this verdick turns my stomach. every single pi man woman i spoke to for some reason brought it up and commented on what bullshit it was,and just knowing the facts this sucks. a us marine a brother of mine in jail for 40 fuckin years!!! it;s bullshit and everybody knows it. and whats worse is the windows this will open for asg and terrorist oranizations around the world. my prayers go out to the family of the real victim(a young shafted marine).
Comment by pissed off marine — December 11, 2006 @ 12:22 pm
Every place I read and everyone I talk to say the same.
Wastaken said,
December 13, 2006 at 10:43 pm
Regarding the publicly taunted Subic Bay Rape case where a girl out cruising with a group of American Sailors is crying rape!What sort of public Philippine embarrassment this “rape” case is. Unfortunately it is common practice for Filipina prostitutes to cry rape whenever the payment for sex falls short of their expectations or they wish to latch onto the foreigner as a permanent income and this is no joke! Not to say that this is the situation in this particular case, but with the great frequency rape is used as a extortion opportunity, who, including the department of justice would take such a case seriously. Several close friends of mine have already been through this experience where greedy girls, usually backed by a family member meet corrupt police in an attempt to extort money from un-expecting foreigners. One Australian friend of mine was in Hong Kong after his first trip to the Philippines when his boss called him from
Manila to tell him the headlines of the news paper were “Aussie man rapes disco dancer”. This whole saga related to a bar girl he met in the P Burgos Street Makati Bars. During this trip he met the girl’s family and went sight seeing together for over a week. When my friend’s attorney attended the police station he was told, with the girls auntie in attendance (who was pushing the complaint) wanted my friend arrested and held until he married the girl and started supporting the family. Could the Police have seen that the demand of marriage seemed strange as compensation to a rape victim?
Whether this case has some merit or not the authorities are very aware of the frequency and falseness of these allegations against foriegnors and frankly coming from a girl to drunk to remember most of what happened makes the case a waste of time and money for everyone.
14 Comments »
I totally agree and in this case that is the basic idea. My friends are basically there because of a greedy, attention getter, in which she succeeded. They have been on lock down for almost a year over this
Comment by A Friend of the Marines — September 29, 2006 @ 2:35 pm
I went to the Philippines to meet a woman,June 2006 ,met her and her father at the airport,I checked into my hotel ,5:00PM
her father left from lobby as we did ,we did some shopping ,went out to eat at 6:30Pm after we ate we met 2 mormans ,during the time of eating the girl wanted to come back to the hotel with me,I had the mornan who have lived there, explian to the girl ,for respect for the parents we should not be in hotel alone togetehr and she should return home.
she returned home in a jeepne at 7:00 Pm
The next morning the police knocked at my door ,the girl was with them with her aunti.
she said I raped her.I spent 2 weeks in Jail and cost me 4000 USD for her to sign paper, was all a mistake since we were never together at anytime alone she not even spend the night.even I had affidavids from the mormans ,the hotel etc from the time i arrived till time the girl left to go home.
what the hell is this country ,they lie ,they cheet,I never seen a more dishonest country in my life .what they will do for money.here you think find good woman and all a set up.
That was in Tacloban,provances is also not the place guys,
Comment by Robert Midwest
yda said,
December 14, 2006 at 12:38 am
this is my first time here in this website and ive seen some of the comments regarding the nicole=smith case. well all i can say on all your comments is that full of anger. sorry to say this but especially you melba. all of us are free to say what we feel, and what i see in you is that your full of anger….i even thought ur nicoles relative coz the way you give your comment, its like your with her the time she was “raped”.
and about nicole-smith case….i dont feel good about it. my instinct says theres something wrong….something is not right. i smell something fishy in this nicole-smith thing. ive heard nicoles statement on tv last year, heard she was educated and has a fiancee. if shes educated, having fun with friends anywhere is okay. but what in the sweet island of ganja entered her head and went out with those men that she met for how many hours??? 3? 4? and got drunk. if anyone here can answer this question thank you. lets just say she likes smith, of course hes what? “handsome man in uniform” lets add the “citizenship” but why did she went out with them by herself? if shes educated enough to know the consequences going out with guys she just met at the bar “by herself” she wouldnt of course go out with them. just because they got he looks and wearing a uniform doesnt mean u can trust them. and she has a fiancee??? if thats true, then she cheated huh? being drunk is not an excuse to me.
Crissaid said,
December 14, 2006 at 11:47 am
Local media should be blame of all these uncanny and decrepit stories that they educate the Filipino populace, moreover label us as (kawawa at laging api).It just help the majority of our kababayans especially those in depressed living to complain repeatedly and brings their inner nerve to revolt.It is our media that makes all the issue gloomy and sensationalized in a way to attract the public interest.Let us not dwell with this kind of news that would create angst to our own countrymen but let us change our taste of interest to the news that we read and listen to protect the namesake of our country and our race.
Wondering said,
December 15, 2006 at 2:07 am
The world is watching this arrogant, prejudice, fool of a judge trying to impress his law students and pacify the militant womens groups. It seems everyone involved with this case is trying to make a name for themselves. I can’t believe this case ever went to trial. And no, Nicole will never live in a mansion. Bad karma will follow her the rest of her life .. an educated, respectful, nice girl as the prosectution claims gets in a van with 4 strange men and do I really need to spell it out what her intentions were? That seems to me something a prostitute would do. Nicoles lie got out of hand after the media picked up on it. She didnt go to the hospital right away because she needed time to get her lie right. The militant groups made a cause out of her lie, so nicole had to become an actress and see it thru. She walked out of the courtroom not because of incompetance, but because she couldnt face the truth. I don’t believe this judge is corrupt either, but I do have a feeling his family is somehow involved with these womens groups. The fool is definitely on an ego trip. As someone said here now it will become an open field on americans , well that is why they have the VFA. The world knows how corrupt the philippines is. I’ve witnessed that first hand. If this judge doesnt stop his BS the country has alot more to loose than the people can imagine. One piece of bar trash, a lounge lizzard, will eventially destroy the rp-us ties. I would like to see if Nicole could pass a polygraph test. Even Smith for that matter, lets be fair here. Beyond a resonable doubt, thats BS too, Im wondering if this judge was listening to dwarfs too when he came up with his verdict. The word your looking for wastaken is trash.
Wondering said,
December 15, 2006 at 2:29 am
Yes Yda, there is alot of anger here, I also was not there when this alleged rape occured, but examine the evidence, there isnt any. This case was based on the fact she was drunk, then where are the medical reports of her blood alcohol content? Then to read posts like that of xenia, what a sick pup that is. The united states marines are in this country to help train troops to make the country safe. There are wars all over the world and these men are sitting in jail over trumped up charges??? Now we have a judge playing god here. This is really sick.
Wastaken said,
December 15, 2006 at 7:37 pm
Wondering ,I was there at that time it happened Nov and Dec 2005 ,and I seen all the news, they could not even get that stright.
First was 6 Marines and etc etc not one word about innocent before proven guilty.or even part of the truth.just exploided into hate cause they could not print the truth.
all about woman being ganged raped by 6 Americans.
I followed the whole case even back then ,from what I seen there all Bullshit.
Everyone has said ,set up you could see it a mile away .
I still asked the same question over and over if was raped why wait 3 days go Doctor I guess you are right had to get the Lie stright first.
and if so Drunk how the hell could she go back to bar looking for the Marines not make sense all crap ,and she was never ever carried out of bar she walked out on her own 2 feet and the van driver opened the door her .
Why would she even think going with them if not for sex with Daniel when she could have walked 5 min to her hotel..
The judge is bullcrap the whole thing sucks and what ever happens to all the Americans set up and in jail now.What about them ???
what ever happens when the truth is out, I would love to see the women who cri false rape go to jail.
Philippines will not get a cent more from my money ,I will still sponser the children.not their fault not all Bad there,the system sucks the bars suck and so does the judge .Nicole I hope you rot for what you did to a young man who has family and children here in USA what you did to him and his family and his parents all the loved ones of Daniel.
You have no idea how many people you have hurt with your Lie .I hope it catches up to you and haunts you forever.
To many times now we are taken by the bars and lies and all for money I hope people wise up and stay away from those places your just asking for trouble and maybe some those places ,bars will close up lack of business.
for those who support Nicole ,where are your Brains ??? do you have any ??? what ever happen to common sense ??? or you thought they said trains when giving out brains and you din’t want any I see what happen now.Your so Blind to the truth .thats why you will stay in PI forever and have no life.just like those groups.
wondering said,
December 15, 2006 at 9:38 pm
“As it turned out, however, it was respondent judge who unjustly assumed and exercised this prerogative of revocation as he did so unilaterally despite the pending judicial proceedings against Smith.”
Nachura said the VFA includes all stages of the proceedings before the trial court, as well as the appellate courts until a final and executory judgment shall have been rendered.
“Respondent judge cannot restrict the definition of such judicial proceedings as including only the final stage,” read the petition.
“Indeed, when the law does not distinguish, courts should not distinguish. Additionally, courts are only mandated to interpret the law, not to amend or modify it. In this case, respondent judge clearly went beyond the plain language of the law and engaged in judicial legislation.”
This judge is a man of no honor, What a disgrace to his profession and his country. He should be disbarred.
wondering said,
December 16, 2006 at 12:44 am
December 16, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
DON’T be deceived by Makati Regional Trial Court Judge Benjamin Pozon’s projection of being media-shy, of his seeming reluctance to be lionized.
Deep inside, he’s enjoying all the publicity over his conviction of a US Marine for allegedly raping a Filipino woman, and his adamant stand that the convicted American remain in Philippine custody.
Pozon may be a hero to leftists and women activists, but if you ask the man on the street, he’ll tell you that not only was the judge wrong in convicting Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith, he’s putting US-Philippine relations in jeopardy.
If you don’t believe me, try asking people who are neither militant nor xenophobic (hater of foreigners), which I did. They’ll tell you the victim, “Nicole,” was not raped. She had consensual sex with Smith with whom she was smitten the first time she set eyes on him.
How could there have been rape when Nicole was wearing tight-fitting jeans at that time and Smith had to wear a condom?
If you’re a woman, try taking off your tight jeans inside a car and you’ll know what I mean. If a woman on her own would have difficulty removing her jeans inside a cramped space, how much more her alleged rapist?
A woman friend (not girlfriend) was saved from being raped by a cab driver who forced her into a vacant lot because she wore tight jeans. And, of course, she shouted for help!
Nicole went with Smith in the van, and there was nothing in her statement that she shouted for help. Otherwise, the driver of the van would have testified that she did.
She claims she was drunk at the time. So was Smith, who is younger than she is.
Nicole took offense at Smith’s companion calling her a “bitch” and the way she was dumped like a pig by the Americans in the street after she refused to get out of the van. That’s why she complained she was raped.
Since Pozon has already convicted Smith, he wants to have his cake and eat it too by having him remain in Philippine custody despite a provision in the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
The VFA provides that American servicemen accused of a crime would remain in US custody pending the outcome of their trial.
And the trial, as legal experts interpret it, includes the appeal after conviction.
All that the US government, our country’s friend and ally, wants is for Smith to be confined in the US Embassy while the appeal is ongoing.
Can’t we accede to an ally that has helped us tremendously in winning the war against the Abu Sayyaf?
For comments and inquiries please e-mail: isumbongmokaytulfo
wondering said,
December 16, 2006 at 11:34 pm
This one is 10 months ago,, Guess she saw Nicole get money and figured she would go for it too. Seems it’s now open season on the whole country. All the prostitutes will be crying rape soon.
Region (as of 2:59 AM)
C. Mindanao Army commander faces rape charges
BY JOHN UNSON
The Philippine Star
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao — A young woman filed “attempted rape” charges against a decorated Army battalion commander in Central Mindanao, the first ever in the region’s history.
In her sworn statement submitted to the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Maguindanao, the complainant said the incident took place last Feb. 17 at the sleeping quarters of the officer at the battalion headquarters in a remote town in Maguindanao.
The victim told reporters she did not file a complaint against the suspect right away for fear of her life, but later decided to pursue the case after the officer repeatedly uttered “unprintable words” against her, and even called her a “prostitute” before his subordinates during their command conferences.
“Natakot ako nung una kasi official ng military ang muntik gumahasa sa akin (I was afraid to file charges at first because he was a military officer),” said the victim, who has filed a separate slander and oral defamation case against the suspect.
The victim said it was only recently that a junior Army officer under the suspect agreed to testify on the alleged attempted rape.
The complaint sheet was filed last week for evaluation and subsequent resolution by Maguindanao Provincial Prosecutor Rudolfo Yanson.
The suspect was said to have invited the victim to their headquarters for a Valentine party and even had her fetched from her house in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat.
The victim alleged that upon reaching the headquarters, she was stunned to find out that there was no party at all, as insinuated by the officer.
The suspect allegedly forced the victim into his quarters, locked the door and began his sexual advances.
“He forcibly dragged me into his room and tried to undress me as I struggled hard to resist until I was able to kick him and get out of the room,” the complainant said in the complaint sheet.
Army Col. Julieto Ando, civil-military relations chief of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said they will have the case investigated separately.
yda said,
December 17, 2006 at 4:04 am
nicole, i do hope that ur reading this….if you are, then think, coz only you, 5 men (including the driver) and god knows what really happened. im not suprise that a lot of people thinks ur making up a story COZ IT REALLY SOUNDS FISHY TO ME…everyone in our office thinks ur making this shit! and the philippines and the US wont have a good relationship coz of this shitty story. I STRONGLY believe in my instinct..and it says FISHY! are u a professional bar girl or what? dude i dont care if ur educated or came from a prominent family…its not in the lifestyle…its in the ATTITUDE. so just in case the conscience knocks at your brain, go ahead and tell the whole philippines of what really happened that time…if ur trippin or wat?
wondering said,
December 18, 2006 at 2:07 am
Judge Benjamin Pozon’s decision also struck down myths about rape such as, that only “good women” could be raped, or that it was not rape because Nicole danced and drank with Smith and that she was “asking for it.” Instead of blaming the victim, Judge Pozon took Smith to task for the rape precisely because he knew that Nicole was very drunk and unconscious and Smith took advantage of that. The Supreme Court has ruled in many decisions that even sweethearts could be raped (People vs. Ylanan, penned by Justice Leo A. Quisumbing in 202). Even prostituted women could be raped. Even wives could be raped by their husbands (Republic Act No. 8353 on marital rape, and the decision of Judge Anthony Santos of the Regional Trial Court of Cagayan de Oro City). Certainly, a woman who is unconscious because she was intoxicated, could not have given her free will and informed consent. VERY GOOD JUDGE, NOW WHERE IS THE MEDICAL PROOF SHE WAS DRUNK ???? wHO SAID SHE WAS UNCONCIOUS? YOU WERENT THERE EITHER, YOU ALL MADE SURE THE MAIN WITNESS WOULD’NT TESTIFY BY THREATENING HIM WITH PERJURY CHARGES. HOW STUPID DO YOU THINK THE PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD ARE?
wondering said,
December 18, 2006 at 4:54 am
A couple other thoughts of mine. Nicole was caught in the parking lot with her pants half down with a condom hanging from her panties,, if Smith was to have raped her, would’nt he have made sure he disposed of the evidence? Now, if you were a police officer and saw her standing there like that,, what would you be thinking? I would say it’s time to arrest another prostitute. Nicole, being engaged to an american, means she would be a visa petitioners beneficiary. Prostitution means no visa. I’ve read all the articles of why her first attorney backed out of the case, but it wasnt until Nicole tried to recant her story and jalondoli also threatened to press perjury charges against her. Some things are better off unsaid. My wife works for a large company in makati, no one there believes Nicoles story either. Wastaken,, I was at makati city hall eating lunch upstairs in the cafeteria with my friends who work there during one of the court days. I didnt realize there was court that day, I slipped away very quickly. My friends there don’t believe Nicole either. You and I know how bad the united states feels about rape. If they felt beyond a reasonable doubt smith was guilty, he would be in a federal prison already. I stated in a previous post I didnt believe this judge was corrupt, I meant as far as payoffs, monetary values,,, but it is clear he is appeasing the militant womens groups, trying to impress his law students, looking for all the attention he can get. When I leave my house in the morning, I fill my pocket with pesos and give them to all the neighborhood children so they can eat. I wonder if these militant womens groups do that..
wondering said,
December 18, 2006 at 1:30 pm
Nicole asks SC to intervene in Smith custody issue
“Nicole”, the complainant in the Subic rape case, asked the Court of Appeals Monday to transmit to the Supreme Court a petition filed by the lawyers of convicted Lance Corporal Daniel Smith to return Smith to US custody.
Nicole’s laywer, Evalyn Ursua, said the petition filed before the appellate court should be immediately transmitted to the Supreme Court.
The lawyer explained that their camp has a pending petition asking the high court to declare as unconstitutional a Visiting Forces Agreement provision that grants US authorities custody of US servicemen being tried in the country for the duration of legal proceedings.
The petition has been pending at the high court since June.
Last Thursday, Smith’s camp asked the appellate court to reverse Makati City court Judge Benjamin Pozon’s order to transfer the American soldier to the Makati City Jail.
Ursua explained that since the high court is handling a similar petition, it should have jurisdiction over Smith’s petition.
ABS-CBN Correspondent Marieton Pacheco reported that Nicole’s camp also asked the high court to allow former senate president Jovito Salonga and former senator Wigberto Tañada to represent the Subic rape victim in defending the petition.
Ursua said Salonga and Tañada are experts in the law and known defenders of the Constitution.
Text back your reaction
wondering said,
December 20, 2006 at 3:30 am
On Monday, former Sens. Jovito Salonga and Wigberto Tanada, who worked to remove U.S. bases from the Philippines in 1992, and Evalyn Ursua, the lawyer for the raped woman, filed separate motions with the appeals court asking it to let the Supreme Court resolve Smith’s petition because it involved “pure questions of law” regarding interpretation of the military agreement.
Smart bitch hey???? She made sure she found more anti americans to handle smith’s case. I’d say it’s about time president Bush sanctions the philippines and severs all aid sent to the country. They,ve been nothing but a thorn in the americans side since WW2. When the japaneese were raping and murdering women and children and making slaves of them they sure welcomed the marines, the billions of dollars the united states gives them in aid for food and roads and schools can be used in america to help the poor thier too. They don’t want the VFA, then time to say goodbye. When the other 48 percent of the population starve and the PRA and the Abu-sayaf take the country over I wonder how long Nicole will survive. It’s really sad so much suffering and so much to loose over a bar whore that cried rape. I doubt very much Smith has any chance at all, not in this corrupt country. Funny how the newspapers in the philippines didnt print this article and let the people know these were the anti american senators. This is the worse case of prejudice ive ever seen. The previous article I posted states the petition to the supreme court was filed in june by Nicoles lawyer, challenging the VFA, that’s what this has been about from the start, Smith never had a chance, it’s been one big set up and like I said no one gives a fuck about Nicole, the militant groups want to control the government, wake up people or your going to loose alot real fast. I’ve seen the lines in front of the american embassy in the morning, people standing in line all the way out to the street waiting to get a united states visa. If this keeps up that embassy may be closed soon… I read your story Robert, 4000 american dollars is better then a life in prison, and for wastaken, your only going to find trash in a bar. There are very nice filipine women here, look in the malls . I went to Glorietta 3 one afternoon, sat outside at greenbelt to drink a cold beer, wasnt sitting for 5 minutes and here came the prostitutes. Walked over to the outback steak house, 5 prostitutes zeroed in, decided to stop at the hard rock cafe,,, heard one prostitute say she was going to get herself an american that night. I watched them leave with one man after the other and every time they came back they had a change of cloths. And to think, this was the nice side of town. I;ve seen it all here and the truth is the media doesnt tell these people the truth. Only what it wants them to know or think. My wife and I are out of here next month, it’s back to civilization for us and we are never coming back. Good luck Mr. Smith we know your innocent.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press
wastaken said,
December 20, 2006 at 6:39 pm
Just read your artical here wondering
if people only open there eyes there.seems the Blind lead the Blind.
I agree myself and so many I know feel the same and will never think of the Philippines the same anymore.as a Place to visit .
what the girls won’t do for Money .I found out you don’t spend money on them they not stick around ,funny how that works ,I don’t go Bars ,I did years before seen to much bola bola and set ups made me sick.
Robert from Midwest :your lucky you had the money to pay for a lie ,just think of the Americans still in jail who do not have the money and lost there homes and jobs, all cause you think you found a good woman.
The Police and system there is the most corupt in the world, a lie means wala ,nothing at all as long as your drained of your money.
To Bad I guess thats more tourist dollars not going to the Philippines.
I hope all the American wise up and other foriginers .stay away from Bars,and club ,see how long they stay open to bad the girls are locked in there and can’t escape,unless they pay the bar owner .No job what will they do ,no customers no bar find ,no drinks ,NO PAY
oh well looks like many more will suffer ,if they close our Embassy there I don’t Blame them one bit.
Those American haters can shove it ,they will distroy the good people left there in Philippines ,Good Luck Wondering.
to bad more people not have a little common sense ,
Danial Smith stay strong ,that Bitch Nicole knew what she was doing I hoipe her American can see it also,she fucked around and cheeted him .If he can’t see that ,Thats one stupid Marine,I would drop her like a sack of patatoes.
good luck smith, you were the set up of a bigger plan I feel.Now the Nicole family will prosper on your behalf.
maybe the Philippines and the people will like the Abu sieff run the country ,like wondering said ,then no tourisum at all and all will starv there .what would they do with out Americas help ??? Be just like ww2 to the woman there and children .then cry rape.see what happens .
Nicoles Attorney ,you have so much hate in your vains, how can you sleep at night ??? what happen you get turned down for a visa and now hate America.maybe you cheeted your American BF and he found out droped you .had to find good and true, and now your to old, no one wants you.
I think you should rot in jail with Nicole.Your a dirty Bitch.I hope you rot.
Semper Fi said,
December 21, 2006 at 10:51 am
To Wondering,
Sorry to read you and your wife are going to leave the Philippines next month, your articulation of this case, 1st hand observations of things that go on in PI, and your concern of the INjustice to Smith were enjoyable to read and in my opinion a 100% on the money. (Also, your views are pretty much what all Americans and foreigners think that live here and know what’s going on, they just don’t comment in this blog.)
Its unfortunate that Smiths INjustice is not getting out to more Americans so they can pressure certain people(s) to do the correct thing instead of let Smith continue to get screwed because of political pressure(s).
Hopefully the United States via the Manila Embassy does not continue to play a one-sided diplomatic game at Smiths expense and they start putting pressure where it is deserved.
Wondering I hope you continue to follow things from whereever you depart too.
Semper Fi
wondering said,
December 21, 2006 at 10:04 pm
Justice raps US consul for discrimination
By Jomar Canlas, Reporter
A Court of Appeals justice has said he suffered dis-crimination in the hands of a United States consul when he applied for a visa.
In an exclusive interview with The Manila Times, Associate Justice Jose Catral Mendoza said he felt humiliated when the consul, a female, asked that he be fingerprinted first before she decided whether to grant him a visa or not.
Mendoza said the consul asked him only three questions: “What is the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals?” “Is this your first time in the United States?” and “How are you related with the person you will stay with abroad?”
He said he was not even extended the courtesy due a magistrate. “I felt discriminated. I have no reason to be a TNT [tago ng tago, the term for a Filipino illegal immigrant in the US]. It was an affront to the institution of the Court of Appeals,” he said.
Mendoza, who said he wanted to attend the wedding of his niece, Editha Navia, in Las Vegas, Nevada, arrived at the US Embassy half hour before his scheduled interview at 1:30 p.m. on Monday. His turn, however, came up at 5 p.m.
Mendoza said he introduced himself as the Court of Appeals justice mentioned in the endorsement letter from the court’s presiding justice, Ruben Reyes.
In the letter, Reyes wrote he was allowing Mendoza to go on a leave of absence from August 27, 2007, to September 30, 2007. The leave, he said, was approved by then-Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, Senior Justice Reynato Puno and Justice Leonardo Quisumbing, the three most senior Supreme Court justices at that time.
Mendoza also presented a certification signed by the Court of Appeals’ Clerk of Court Teresita Gatmaitan that he was a bonafide justice of the appellate court.
Despite all the credentials, Mendoza said the consul told him his name was a very common one and that he must be fingerprinted at the office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the consulate.
He said the consul gave him a letter that said: “Your nonimmi-grant visa application has been temporarily suspended under Section 221g of the US Immigration and Nationality Act, as due to special clearance requirements, you are required to undergo fingerprinting.”
Mendoza said he would not beg the embassy to issue him a visa.
He said he understands the strict security measures imposed by the embassy, but “they must have trained people who can determine who are the applicants who are qualified or not.”
Contacted for comment, US Embassy Spokesman Matthew Lussenhop declined to discuss the issue raised by Mendoza. “We do not discuss the reason for the visa denial in public. But if the justice has his complaints he is most welcome to see our office,” Lussenhop said.
The spokesman admitted that high-ranking government officials were given “special courtesies” in visa applications. “We treat everybody with courtesy and dignity,” he said.
wondering said,
December 22, 2006 at 3:15 am
Thank you Semper Fi, I do apologize for my statement of going back to civilization. I didnt mean any disrespect, Im just becoming unnerved here and frustrated. I’m also a father of 4 grown children, two girls of which are around the age of nicole, thank god they don’t drink or go to bars. My boys though, if they were put in the same situation as smith, I believe they would have acted the same. This last post of mine I don’t want to comment on regarding the appeals court judge that was denied a visa. I wonder how Mr. Smith felt when he was denied his petition, especially when it was an international treaty. Id imagine he felt humiliated and discriminated against.. I had found it strange that nicoles attorney had chosen the two senators she wanted to debate the VFA in the supreme court, since when does a lawyer choose who is to decide an issue. Chrissaid brought my attention to the fact we are getting our news from the local media when he asked emay where she got her news sourses from. That was when I decided to read an american newspaper and there I found Nicoles lawyer had chosen biased senators. I didnt know these were the two who pushed to have the military bases closed. This leads me to believe Nicoles lawyer was playing dirty all along. This is definitely a strike against ursua and Nicole. The solicitor general insulted judge pozon and accused him of grandstanding. These are all points for smith. It wouldnt hurt if americans wrote thier senators and congressmen but it also appears president bush is following this closely. I myself can’t find anyone who believes Nicole either, nor can my wife. Grace santos has started the campaign justice for smith, hopefully more people will join soon. The defense led an honest straight forward case, they didnt search every crack and crevice to find a biased witness. The prosectution even discredited Nicole. One of the reasons stated in the judges decision was that smith danced with her last, so what. WEll, we know we had a biased judge and the fool didnt have the right to violate an international treaty. Hopefully we can get this problem resolved in a timely matter and wait for the united states to find the evidence it needs to have smith aquitted of this false charge. While nicole is out celebrating the united states is investigating.
wastaken said,
December 22, 2006 at 5:23 am
Tensions Flare Over Custody in Rape Case in Philippines
By THOM SHANKER
Published: December 22, 2006
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 — The commander of American forces in the Pacific announced Thursday that he had canceled a huge annual military exercise with the Philippines in a dispute over custody of a marine lance corporal convicted of raping a local woman.
The commander, Adm. William J. Fallon, said he also would halt aid and reconstruction programs carried out by the American military in the Philippines until he was confident that the troops’ legal rights would be protected under bilateral agreements governing visiting United States forces.
The bilateral pact that governs American forces in the Philippines, the Visiting Forces Agreement, requires that American military personnel be held in American custody during criminal proceedings, including appeals, until a final resolution of the matter.
But after Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith was convicted of rape and sentenced early this month, a judge ordered him held in local police custody even though his case went straight to appeal.
The rape case, which concluded Dec. 4 with a conviction and a sentence of 40 years in prison, has tested relations between the countries and challenged the validity of the bilateral agreement. It also has sharpened a political division between Filipinos with nationalist resentments and those with affection for the former colonial power — or at least those who cite the economic and security benefits of ties to the United States.
In a telephone interview from Pacific Command headquarters in Hawaii, Admiral Fallon said that he already had ordered the withdrawal of an aid team in the Philippines that was assessing needs of a typhoon-ravaged area. He said that he also had canceled a number of visits by American ships.
American military officers said the Philippines armed forces supported the legal position of the United States, and the political officer at the Philippine Embassy in Washington agreed Thursday that the United States’ position was correct.
“Regarding the Corporal Smith case, the United States government and the executive branch of the Philippines government are on the same side of this issue,” said Patricia Paez, the embassy’s political officer here. “We believe Corporal Smith should be in the custody of the U.S. Embassy because of the terms and conditions of the Visiting Forces Agreement.”
Ms. Paez said that responsibility for the dispute rested with the judicial branch of her government, and that her nation’s president and Parliament were constrained on ending the dispute.
“Just like the United States, we have a separation of branches of government that are co-equal and independent,” Ms. Paez said. “We are making our best efforts to make sure the provisions of the Visiting Forces Agreement are enforced.”
In a decision with repercussions for regional counterterrorism efforts, Admiral Fallon said he had canceled the field exercise portions of this year’s bilateral military exercise, which was to begin in coming weeks and was to involve 4,700 American military personnel and 3,000 from the Philippines.
The annual exercise has taken on greater significance since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, as the Philippines battles internal terrorist threats.
“I’m not the judge of the guilt or innocence of the individual,” Admiral Fallon said. “The issue is only one of custody. I am responsible to our people in uniform. I have to have guarantees that I can trust their safety to an international agreement.”
The cancellation of the exercise and other American military visits to the Philippines jeopardizes disease-prevention programs, water-purification efforts, and more broadly, counterterrorism cooperation between the nations.
The rape case dates from Nov. 1, 2005, when, according to testimony at the trial, four marines from Okinawa who were in the Philippines for training took a 22-year-old woman from a bar where they had met to a van, where one of them raped her.
During the trial, Lance Corporal Smith did not deny having sex with the woman, but said it was consensual. The court heard testimony that the woman was so drunk that she could not have agreed to sex, with one witness saying Lance Corporal Smith had carried her to the van.
wastaken said,
December 22, 2006 at 5:50 am
I agree with you wondering: its starting already ,I am also sending letters to congress and the senate here in America. and starting a pitition for Daniel Smith.
This whole set up is going to Distroy the Philippines and the USA helping them ,to bad so many good and innocent People have to suffer cause of the corruption in the Philippines.and Susett Nicole
Susette Nicole.Do you have any Idea what your doing with your LIE.you have a good christmas ok the people thank you.
your hurting so many good people for your own gain .
you will never enter USA .
and in a few years from now you will be starving like many there already do.
this will not last forever.
Tell the truth like you first did at the police station asking them to take out the word rape from your first statement,why wasn’t that in court.
maybe I should say, I drink to much and you rape me.anyone can say that at anytime.
wheres the proff ??the test by the hospitial for blood count on drinking ??? so drunk she can go back to the bar,?? not sound that drunk to me if passing out ? how the hell can you go back to the bar with a freind to tell the securtiy gurad ? How can Pozan do this injustice, I can also have someone say to drunk to give concent ,
I would wait a few days also to go to the hospitial,so I can make sure my story is stright for the American haters group and your American hater lawyer who should be disbarred.
I will spread the word here For Smith,cause of justice and what is right.
I also think it is time for Gloria to step in what do you think?
Semper Fi I totally Agree with you and your assment,so sad to see people suffer cause of hate and lies ,about time people wake up in the Philippines.when PI can be such a great place to visit ,good people there all going to suffer and the country is going the down the drain with this corruption.
wondering said,
December 22, 2006 at 12:48 pm
The United States said Friday it was pulling the plug on annual joint military exercises with the Philippines next year in an escalating dispute over custody of a US marine convicted of raping a Filipina.
The case of Lance Corporal Daniel Smith has become a major headache for the Philippine government, which agrees with Washington that under the terms of a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) he should remain in US custody while he appeals.
But a local court has defied the government and sent the 21-year-old to a Manila jail, jeopardizing the Philippines’ close security alliance with its former colonial master.
“Until the Philippine courts are able to ensure that the Philippines is in full compliance with the VFA, it would not be prudent to bring additional troops here for exercises at this time,” US embassy spokesman Matthew Lussenhop told Reuters.
Manila is reliant on US military aid and advice to help fight Muslim insurgents and, in addition to the annual war games, has up to 300 US military advisers working with local troops to help them ensnare militants in the restive south.
Lussenhop said there were no plans to curtail ongoing US military activities in the Philippines but said Washington was keeping an eye on developments in Smith’s case.
“We’ll make decisions on future military activities as we review the custody case,” he said.
A report on the New York Times said Admiral William J. Fallon, commander of US forces in the Pacific, said he will also halt aid and reconstruction programs carried out by the American military in the Philippines until he is confident the troops’ legal rights will be protected under the VFA.
The article said Fallon had ordered the withdrawal of an aid team that was assessing needs of a typhoon-ravaged area and that he also had canceled a number of visits by American ships.
He said he also canceled the field exercise portions of the Balikatan exercises, which was to open in coming weeks and involve 4,700 American and 3,000 Philippine military personnel.
He told the Times that smaller segments of the exercise that involve computer simulations and classroom work may be allowed to proceed if the custody dispute is resolved.
“The last thing we want is to undo all the good work that has been done between the armed forces of the Philippines and ourselves, but this puts me in a real dilemma because I need to guarantee the safety of our forces,” Admiral Fallon said.
“I’m not the judge of the guilt or innocence of the individual. The issue is only one of custody. I am responsible to our people in uniform. I have to have guarantees that I can trust their safety to an international agreement,” he added.
The annual “Balikatan” (shoulder-to-shoulder) war games are the centerpiece of Washington and Manila’s close security alliance and usually involve up to 5,000 US soldiers and around 3,000 Filipino troops over a two-week period.
The war games, which took place from February 20 to March 5 this year, consist of command post exercises, field and cross-training activities, live-fire drills and humanitarian and civil assistance such as road repairs and engineering works.
Smith had taken part in the war exercises last year. He was found guilty of raping a 23-year-old management accounting graduate in a van in a former US navy base while on shore leave at the end of the exercise.
Three other US Marines were acquitted of rape earlier this month.
Smith, who faces up to 40 years in prison, has been held in a jail in Manila’s financial district since his conviction, which followed a seven-month trial that prompted small protests against US-Philippine military ties and intense local media interest.
The sailors said only Smith had sex with the woman and that it was consensual. They claimed the woman was being manipulated to incriminate them.
Pozon blamed
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said the cancellation of Balikatan field exercises has been the subject of several conversations between US and Philippine officials.
He said he received confirmation that some US troops have been pulled out of the country. He blamed Judge Benjamin Pozon, who presided over the Subic rape case, for the tension between the two countries.
Last Monday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and US ambassador to the Philippines Kirstie Kenney signed an agreement to remand custody of Smith to the US embassy after Pozon ordered him incarcerated at the Makati City Jail.
The agreement was signed before the appelate court denied Smith’s petition for a temporary restraining order on the judge’s decision to detain him at the jail.
Kenney admitted that Washington officials were disappointed with Pozon’s ruling, which she said violates the VFA.
“Washington was disappointed because it wasn’t consistent with the [VFA]. This isn’t about the verdict. The verdict is an issue for the judges and the lawyers. That’s not within the range of those of us in the embassy or the other government officials,” she told DZMM.
“The [VFA] calls for Smith to remain in US custody until the determination of the case and of all the judicial proceedings. That is defined through the completion of an appeals process,” she added.
She said that she is hoping the US embassy and the Philippine government would be able to sort out the issue of custody.
“We’re working on this issue. As you know this is an agreement between our two nations (that was) signed years ago. We are not yet in compliance with that issue. It’s important to both of our countries. It’s important to international credibility that both our countries show how well we can live up to an agreement like this,” she said.
Kenney also clarified that the signed agreement between the US embassy and the Department of Foreign Affairs was not a new agreement or petition but a clarification on the specific provisions of the VFA.
“Judicial authorities all over the world ask for clarification and additional information. We try to provide that,” she said.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Solicitor General Antonio Eduardo Nachura submitted the manifestation to the Court of Appeals to show that the Philippines and the US have agreed on the custody of Smith based on the VFA.
“The Philippine government is doing this to abide by treaty commitments,” Ermita said. With a report from Reuters
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wondering said,
December 22, 2006 at 1:06 pm
Pacific Europe Middle East Tensions Flare Over Custody in Rape Case in Philippines
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By THOM SHANKER
Published: December 22, 2006
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 — The commander of American forces in the Pacific announced Thursday that he had canceled a huge annual military exercise with the Philippines in a dispute over custody of a marine lance corporal convicted of raping a local woman.
The commander, Adm. William J. Fallon, said he also would halt aid and reconstruction programs carried out by the American military in the Philippines until he was confident that the troops’ legal rights would be protected under bilateral agreements governing visiting United States forces.
The bilateral pact that governs American forces in the Philippines, the Visiting Forces Agreement, requires that American military personnel be held in American custody during criminal proceedings, including appeals, until a final resolution of the matter.
But after Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith was convicted of rape and sentenced early this month, a judge ordered him held in local police custody even though his case went straight to appeal.
The rape case, which concluded Dec. 4 with a conviction and a sentence of 40 years in prison, has tested relations between the countries and challenged the validity of the bilateral agreement. It also has sharpened a political division between Filipinos with nationalist resentments and those with affection for the former colonial power — or at least those who cite the economic and security benefits of ties to the United States.
In a telephone interview from Pacific Command headquarters in Hawaii, Admiral Fallon said that he already had ordered the withdrawal of an aid team in the Philippines that was assessing needs of a typhoon-ravaged area. He said that he also had canceled a number of visits by American ships.
American military officers said the Philippines armed forces supported the legal position of the United States, and the political officer at the Philippine Embassy in Washington agreed Thursday that the United States’ position was correct.
“Regarding the Corporal Smith case, the United States government and the executive branch of the Philippines government are on the same side of this issue,” said Patricia Paez, the embassy’s political officer here. “We believe Corporal Smith should be in the custody of the U.S. Embassy because of the terms and conditions of the Visiting Forces Agreement.”
Ms. Paez said that responsibility for the dispute rested with the judicial branch of her government, and that her nation’s president and Parliament were constrained on ending the dispute.
“Just like the United States, we have a separation of branches of government that are co-equal and independent,” Ms. Paez said. “We are making our best efforts to make sure the provisions of the Visiting Forces Agreement are enforced.”
In a decision with repercussions for regional counterterrorism efforts, Admiral Fallon said he had canceled the field exercise portions of this year’s bilateral military exercise, which was to begin in coming weeks and was to involve 4,700 American military personnel and 3,000 from the Philippines.
The annual exercise has taken on greater significance since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, as the Philippines battles internal terrorist threats.
“I’m not the judge of the guilt or innocence of the individual,” Admiral Fallon said. “The issue is only one of custody. I am responsible to our people in uniform. I have to have guarantees that I can trust their safety to an international agreement.”
The cancellation of the exercise and other American military visits to the Philippines jeopardizes disease-prevention programs, water-purification efforts, and more broadly, counterterrorism cooperation between the nations.
The rape case dates from Nov. 1, 2005, when, according to testimony at the trial, four marines from Okinawa who were in the Philippines for training took a 22-year-old woman from a bar where they had met to a van, where one of them raped her.
During the trial, Lance Corporal Smith did not deny having sex with the woman, but said it was consensual. The court heard testimony that the woman was so drunk that she could not have agreed to sex, with one witness saying Lance Corporal Smith had carried her to the van.
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wondering said,
December 23, 2006 at 12:18 am
The justice secretary quoted the governor of Albay, Fernando Gonzales, as saying that US authorities had pulled out their troops helping in typhoon-ravaged areas in Bicol.
“They are displeased with us. We have a treaty and we didn’t comply,” said the secretary, who had from the outset upheld Malacañang’s position that custody of Smith belonged to US authorities.
Community relations
wastaken said,
December 23, 2006 at 12:32 am
Tensions Flare Over Custody in Rape Case in Philippines
By THOM SHANKER
Published: December 22, 2006
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 — The commander of American forces in the Pacific announced Thursday that he had canceled a huge annual military exercise with the Philippines in a dispute over custody of a marine lance corporal convicted of raping a local woman.
The commander, Adm. William J. Fallon, said he also would halt aid and reconstruction programs carried out by the American military in the Philippines until he was confident that the troops’ legal rights would be protected under bilateral agreements governing visiting United States forces.
The bilateral pact that governs American forces in the Philippines, the Visiting Forces Agreement, requires that American military personnel be held in American custody during criminal proceedings, including appeals, until a final resolution of the matter.
But after Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith was convicted of rape and sentenced early this month, a judge ordered him held in local police custody even though his case went straight to appeal.
The rape case, which concluded Dec. 4 with a conviction and a sentence of 40 years in prison, has tested relations between the countries and challenged the validity of the bilateral agreement. It also has sharpened a political division between Filipinos with nationalist resentments and those with affection for the former colonial power — or at least those who cite the economic and security benefits of ties to the United States.
In a telephone interview from Pacific Command headquarters in Hawaii, Admiral Fallon said that he already had ordered the withdrawal of an aid team in the Philippines that was assessing needs of a typhoon-ravaged area. He said that he also had canceled a number of visits by American ships.
American military officers said the Philippines armed forces supported the legal position of the United States, and the political officer at the Philippine Embassy in Washington agreed Thursday that the United States’ position was correct.
“Regarding the Corporal Smith case, the United States government and the executive branch of the Philippines government are on the same side of this issue,” said Patricia Paez, the embassy’s political officer here. “We believe Corporal Smith should be in the custody of the U.S. Embassy because of the terms and conditions of the Visiting Forces Agreement.”
Ms. Paez said that responsibility for the dispute rested with the judicial branch of her government, and that her nation’s president and Parliament were constrained on ending the dispute.
“Just like the United States, we have a separation of branches of government that are co-equal and independent,” Ms. Paez said. “We are making our best efforts to make sure the provisions of the Visiting Forces Agreement are enforced.”
In a decision with repercussions for regional counterterrorism efforts, Admiral Fallon said he had canceled the field exercise portions of this year’s bilateral military exercise, which was to begin in coming weeks and was to involve 4,700 American military personnel and 3,000 from the Philippines.
The annual exercise has taken on greater significance since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, as the Philippines battles internal terrorist threats.
“I’m not the judge of the guilt or innocence of the individual,” Admiral Fallon said. “The issue is only one of custody. I am responsible to our people in uniform. I have to have guarantees that I can trust their safety to an international agreement.”
The cancellation of the exercise and other American military visits to the Philippines jeopardizes disease-prevention programs, water-purification efforts, and more broadly, counterterrorism cooperation between the nations.
The rape case dates from Nov. 1, 2005, when, according to testimony at the trial, four marines from Okinawa who were in the Philippines for training took a 22-year-old woman from a bar where they had met to a van, where one of them raped her.
During the trial, Lance Corporal Smith did not deny having sex with the woman, but said it was consensual. The court heard testimony that the woman was so drunk that she could not have agreed to sex, with one witness saying Lance Corporal Smith had carried her to the van.
Comment by wastaken — December 22, 2006 @ 1:21 pm
its starting already ,I am also sending letters to congress and the senate here in America. and starting a pitition for Daniel Smith.
This whole set up is going to Distroy the Philippines and the USA helping them ,to bad so many good and innocent People have to suffer cause of the corruption in the Philippines.and Susett Nicole
Susette Nicole.Do you have any Idea what your doing with your LIE.you have a good christmas ok the people thank you.
your hurting so many good people for your own gain .
you will never enter USA .
and in a few years from now you will be starving like many there already do.
this will not last forever.
Tell the truth like you first did at the police station asking them to take out the word rape from your first statement,why wasn’t that in court.
maybe I should say, I drink to much and you rape me.anyone can say that at anytime.
wheres the proff ??the test by the hospitial for blood count on drinking ??? so drunk she can go back to the bar,?? not sound that drunk to me if passing out ? how the hell can you go back to the bar with a freind to tell the securtiy gurad ? How can Pozan do this injustice, I can also have someone say to drunk to give concent ,
I would wait a few days also to go to the hospitial,so I can make sure my story is stright for the American haters group and your American hater lawyer who should be disbarred.
I will spread the word here For Smith,cause of justice and what is right.
I also think it is time for Gloria to step in what do you think?
so sad to see people suffer cause of hate and lies ,about time people wake up in the Philippines.when PI can be such a great place to visit ,good people there all going to suffer and the country is going the down the drain with this corruption.
Comment by wastaken — December 22, 2006 @ 1:52 pm
Admiral Fallous looked very much like a bully.
He cannot have his soldier so he cancelled whatever military exercise or program in the Philippines.
Why fight on custody? Smith was found guilty. The Philippine Court of Appeals found that the judge did not abuse discretion. In the end, Philippine Supreme Court will reach the same conclusion.
Admiral Fallous is making a big joke on himself and the Americans when Smith will serve his 40 yrs courtesy of the Philippine Supreme Court.
Comment by jud — December 23, 2006 @ 6:15 am
wastaken said,
December 23, 2006 at 3:46 am
Cancellation of US wargames is “setback” for Philippines:
MANILA – The US decision to cancel its military exercises with the Philippines over the custody of a US marine convicted of rape is a “setback” for the alliance between the two countries, President Gloria Arroyo said Saturday.
“The cancellation of these exercises is a setback to our military modernization program, the interoperability of Philippine and US forces and the strategic alliance of both countries,” said Arroyo’s spokesman Ignacio Bunye.
Bunye said that Arroyo understood and respected the US decision, adding “we hope that the exercises can be put back on track as soon as possible”.
The United States cancelled its annual joint military exercises with the Philippines due to the continued detention of US Lance Corporal Daniel Smith following his conviction earlier this month for raping a Filipina.
The US embassy said Friday that next year’s annual “Balikatan” or “Joined-Arms” military exercises between Filipino and American troops would be cancelled due to concerns over the legal rights of US troops following the jailing of Smith.
The US embassy says that under the visiting forces agreement (VFA) between the two countries, Smith should remain in the embassy’s custody until all appeals in his case have been exhausted.
However, the local judge who convicted Smith has ordered him to be detained in a suburban Manila jail.
Bunye stressed that the Philippines remained committed to the VFA and that the Arroyo government had endorsed calls for Smith to be turned over to the US embassy.
The convicted marine has denied his guilt and said the sex with the Filipina was consensual. His lawyers have filed an appeal while questioning the judge’s order to have him placed in a Manila jail.
The Philippines has one of the most poorly equipped armed forces in the region and is already hard-pressed, battling a 7,100-strong communist insurgency as well as Muslim extremist groups such as the Abu Sayyaf.
A small group of US soldiers is training Filipino soldiers in the south to battle the Abu Sayyaf and Manila has been hoping for US aid to upgrade its armed forces.
wondering said,
December 23, 2006 at 2:30 pm
Filipina gang-raped by 17 men in Kuwait
KUWAIT CITY – A runaway Philippine maid in the Gulf emirate of Kuwait was abducted and gang-raped by 17 men in desert camps, a newspaper reported Saturday, adding that 14 suspects were in custody.
Four men found the Filipina after she fled her employer’s house and took her to a desert camp where they raped her, the Al-Watan daily said citing a security source.
They then offered the maid to six of their friends who raped her at a second camp before delivering her to seven others who gang-raped her at a third camp.
She was taken to hospital by Philippine consular officials, the paper said. The embassy was not immediately available for comment.
Police have detained 14 suspects so far — 13 Kuwaitis and one Iraqi, Al-Watan said. A manhunt is continuing for three other Kuwaitis.
More than 70,000 Filipinos live and work in oil-rich Kuwait, many of them as domestic servants. AFP
Mei said,
December 24, 2006 at 4:38 pm
Merry Christmas to everyone MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND TAKE YOU AWAY FROM SIN.
wondering said,
December 25, 2006 at 4:11 am
To Wastaken, I took this quote from the abs-cbn newspaper, I think if you read some of the comments you will see the majority of filipino people know the truth here. There are many comments by a man named steele who is an american, he believes smith guilty, he does make alot of sense, but he also believes nicole was drunk and that is what he is basing his opinions on. Now, any young women as drunk as they are making her out to be would have been vomiting. The only possible way she wouldnt vomit is if she had a high alcohol tolerance which leads me to believe this is her lifestyle, but they refused to allow a background check . By the way, I also believe the police were ready to charge her with prostitution so she had to leave the word rape in the report. It saddened me to see the troops leave the bicol region but I do understand why. Quote from Antonious:
Considering the thousands upon thousands of both recorded and unrecorded rape cases by Filipino men, against Filipino women each year – why dont we go pick one of these immoral, dirty minded, white monkeys in that crowd, drag him through the dirty cirkus of hanging out accused persons in the media (presuming being innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law)? After all it is so good for the self esteem and national pride to feel having power ower things outside the little kinder garden called the Philippines!
Lets brainwash our proud kababayans with sirang plaka repetitions by sleezy media repporters that have absolutely no nuts, guts or interest in reporting about the thousands upon thousands of rapes comitted by Filipino men each year! That is not at all good for our self esteem! This whole Nicole farce all reminds me of the napaka typical Filipino mentality that ” I’d rather spend my life destroying other peoples lives than so that they are down at my low level, than me trying to improve my own life to the better like my neighbor did! Kaingitan! Ingit sa kapwa!
So yes my kababayans – lets continue selling your kababayans at bars, night clubs and sleezy sing along joints on every street corner in every City!!!! Letting them get STD’s, hepatitis and so on, the owners of the joints evading paying taxes that would anyway just be stolen by our officials so that these girls can have no free medical attention once they are sick – mga kababayan ko!
Maybe we should learn to clean our own door steps before we clean those of others!!! We all know that times are tight financially, but spreading like Nicole did and then shouting “foul” afterwards is truly incredible! Play with fire and you just may get your fingers burned! Who can cry ower such stupidity?
Its truly incredible what Manoy will do nowadays to blackmail white monkeys for money or simply just get the chance to feel superior or in control of this half sunken renegade bangka in the middle of the rough sea, called the real world!!!! If you go swim with crocs, then you must be prepared to bear the consequences of it! Dont be surprised if a croc will be on your neck!
This whole Nicole farce is by far too cheap and sounds like the stories you hear and see again and again in this country – that never leads to manoy rallying against his thousands of kababayans that commit rape and end up in the streets burning Filipino flags (as has been done Stars and Stripes, in this case!), not to mention the unparalled coverage by the most malicious and dirty minded media in the world! (No wonder why so many media are killed in this country each year, considering all the slander and malicious allegations they can come up with and brainwash the crowds with). Wonder how Filipinos would feel and react to Americans burning three Stars and the Sun? Just a cheap and disrespectful way by some people – that have a low self esteem – to feel suprior to those others…. which in turn again leads us back to kaingitan ni manoy….. If I can not ascend to the level of others, mas mabuti pa sirain ko nalang sila! Mahirap at kakaiba talaga ang ugali ng Pilipino, no? Kaya mahirap ang Pilipinas – palagi sinisira natin ng kapwa! So lets punish that white monkey scape goat so at least once in a while we can fool ourselves into a false national identity and have something in common other than Monkey Pigoy – ohh sorry, I meant Manni Paquio!
wondering said,
December 25, 2006 at 4:40 am
I’d also like to add, before the troops were removed from bicol helping the victims of the typhoon, Nicole was out celebrating , well this case isnt over yet, hopefully a background investigation will be done this time and the defense will wake up. I will write grace santos and see if we can get a site for support justice for smith.
Boracayman said,
January 11, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Nicole Is the Victim of rape.. The Rapist name… is Daniel Smith… If this rape had taken place in any other country the Victim of the rape would be the one that gets supported..
Its strange to think that there are some that would support a Rapist … and not his victim….
Daniel Smith carried Nicole to the Van.. over the next 25 minutes raped her held her down and inflicted brutal injuries to her… all while being encouraged by his brave U.S Servicemen Buddies. Then Smith abused her and two of them dumped Nicole in the street by the Pier Half Naked… They Threw her underwear nearby with a condom still sticking to it.. and ran off.. This was witness by more than 12 people on the Pier.
Two of them contacted the Shore patrol police and reported a suspected Rape…
The Evidence presented in the court.. by 23 witnessed was overwhelmingly against Smith… He was found Guilty and is now a Convicted Rapist.
Regardless of what Nationality he is.. the person/s that commit such a brutal criome should be Penalized… and i theis case.. Justice has been served.
The sympathy i feel is for the Victim.. not the Rapist.
wondering said,
January 12, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Apparently the evidence in the case is not overwhelmingly against smith. If it were everyone in the world would feel sympathy for Nicole, which as you can see if you read all the blogs do not. No one likes a rapist regardless of thier nationality. There is conflicting testimony as to how Nicole entered the van and as far as brutal injuries they may have been caused by rough sex. She was not punched or smacked anywhere. Doctors statement said injuries consistent with rape to her vagina which also may be caused by rough sex. Also deap healed scarred tissue to the vagina which may have been caused by a child hood injury or rough sex. Too many either and or,s and not enough factual evidence here. That is why the majority of people believe smith maybe innocent.
Angel said,
January 13, 2007 at 6:45 pm
Paano magkainjured ang vagina nya e di naman sya V-gin.:)
maya said,
January 14, 2007 at 11:24 am
To Wondering re: comment #157. BRAVO !!! Mabuhay ka. Kaya ako naaawa and at the same time naiinis sa bayan kong iniwanan.
wondering said,
January 19, 2007 at 2:24 am
Just my assumption ladies, but I have a feeling smith and nicole were in a rush to get it on. Perhaps smith did’nt use a lubricated condom and the initial penetration was a bit rough. Then again, Smith may have a rather large penis. Just a thought.
kate jones said,
September 17, 2007 at 3:10 pm
when american fights for justice we believe in them.for so long, they have provided as large amount of donations for the salvation of filipino as gloria stated: “alleviation of poverty” this is always represents that american people feed the filipino. if this will continue to be the practice of the phils govt. it is an assurance that filipinos basic rights is under deprivation. americans are too kind when media is always infront of them and as long as they are creating nuke weapons enough to eradicate the races of the world, they can always brag and ignore other rights of races.when they donate to phils. of course their citizens is always a priority for this nation. you know” we give you money, we will protect you but we cant guarantee equal rights when our men is in danger”. it is already proven for so many years have past that this filipino is not important to the eyes of the american people. Mucg less when NASA intrcepts disrupt signal of philippines television that rely primarily to the americans NASA inventions.
kate jones
gelee said,
August 2, 2008 at 5:57 am
bakit nandyan pa yan
di ba tapos na yan
wondering said,
March 17, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Three years have gone by with Smith in jail and now Nicole recants her story. So, it was a lie all along just as some of us here have stated. That is very, very sad.
djinn said,
March 18, 2009 at 6:41 am
Say again?!?! I Petition for that whore to be dragged back to this country and bitch-slapped until she dies!
Semper Fi said,
March 19, 2009 at 5:24 am
What a delight to hear/read the truth from the one who knows. Nicole! A little late young lady, but at least you did not wait 39 years.
SEMPER FI
Meeh said,
March 20, 2009 at 5:24 am
Smith and Suzette were both RAPED for being young and naive.
Suzette was raped by militants Gabriela, Akbayan, Bayan Muna, Maza, Ursua, Ocampo, Madrigal, Salonga., anti-Americans, etc.
Smith was raped by the Philippine Judicial System.
Samuel welsh said,
March 31, 2010 at 7:59 am
yes keep servicemen out