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By William B. Depasupil, Reporter
CONCERNED groups are closely watching
developments in the controversial Subic rape case that is now under
review by the Court of Appeals.
US Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith was
convicted in 2006 by the Makati Regional Trial Court for raping a
22-year-old Filipino known only as “Nicole.”
A religious order, the Immaculate Heart of
Mary (IHM), on Thurs-day asked the appellate court to remain
firm amid supposed pressure and dictates from external powerful
forces.
“We appeal to you to uphold the
integrity of the Philippine judicial system and Philippine
sovereignty by confirming the decision of the lower court,” the
IHM said in a letter to Presiding Justice Conrado Vasquez Jr.
It added that the evidence is strong
against Smith but expressed fear that “dictates from Malacañang
or pressures/threats from the US Embassy will eventually result in
the acquittal of Smith.”
“We are concerned that at least two
justices have already inhibited themselves or resigned from handling
the rape case for whatever reason or reasons,” the letter said.
Members of Task Force Subic Rape, an
organization keeping watch over the controversial rape case, had
also appealed to the justices’ sense of fairness and independence.
“We got information that a justice is
preparing the decision to reverse [Makati Regional Trial Court]
Judge Benjamin Pozon’s verdict,” said Yuen Abana of the Partido
ng Manggawa, a part of the Task Force. “We are not entirely
surprised because we saw how the US exerted pressure on the GMA
[Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo] government just to have Smith turned over
to them after the guilty verdict.”
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