US Marines to appear before prosecutors over alleged rape
OLONGAPO -- Six US Marines accused of raping a Filipina woman are to appear before prosecutors Wednesday in what is seen as a litmus test for a treaty that protects American troops serving here.
The six are in US custody and are expected to deny allegations by a 22-year-old Filipina that they raped her in a van earlier this month.
The servicemen were part of a US contingent that was taking part in joint exercises in the former US naval base of Subic at the time.
US diplomats had refused to turn them over to Philippine authorities and invoked the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
The treaty, forged in 1998, grants limited immunity to criminal prosecution to US troops when they are engaged in joint maneuvers in this country.
"This is a test case for the VFA. This is the first time that we are investigating US servicemen under the treaty," prosecutor Raymond Viray told AFP here as he prepared for the hearing.
"We expect the soldiers and their lawyers to be here,
and we will also be presenting five witnesses with corroborative statements backing up the alleged victim," he said.
The Americans were expected to deny any wrongdoing. Another round of investigations is set for November 29, after which prosecutors will determine whether there is probable cause to charge them in court
The six are in US custody and are expected to deny allegations by a 22-year-old Filipina that they raped her in a van earlier this month.
The servicemen were part of a US contingent that was taking part in joint exercises in the former US naval base of Subic at the time.
US diplomats had refused to turn them over to Philippine authorities and invoked the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
The treaty, forged in 1998, grants limited immunity to criminal prosecution to US troops when they are engaged in joint maneuvers in this country.
"This is a test case for the VFA. This is the first time that we are investigating US servicemen under the treaty," prosecutor Raymond Viray told AFP here as he prepared for the hearing.
"We expect the soldiers and their lawyers to be here,
and we will also be presenting five witnesses with corroborative statements backing up the alleged victim," he said.
The Americans were expected to deny any wrongdoing. Another round of investigations is set for November 29, after which prosecutors will determine whether there is probable cause to charge them in court
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