Win or lose, we will fight, says family of rape victim
By Tonette Orejas, Inquirer
THE US Embassy's refusal to turn over to Philippine authorities the four American servicemen charged with rape has only served to strengthen the resolve of the complainant and her family to see the case through.
"Kahit matalo, manalo, lalaban kami (Win or lose, we will fight)," the woman's mother on Wednesday told the Inquirer by phone from Zamboanga City.
The mother said her daughter was "disheartened but undaunted" by the US Embassy's position.
"[But] we are not backing out of the fight, and the government should not as well," she said.
The mother also said they did not feel alone in their fight because private lawyers Katrina Legarda and Minerva Ambrosio had been continuing to make themselves available for legal advice.
"We are aware of the end of their services after the preliminary investigation," she said, adding that the termination of the lawyers' assistance was specified in the memorandum of agreement between the Child Justice League (CJL) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
The mother said her family had no ill feelings toward Legarda and company.
"They really helped ensure that those American soldiers were charged in court. We have a big trust in Attorney Legarda's group," she said.
Legarda and company, members of the CJL, have pulled out of the case, saying their services only covered the preliminary investigation. They said their task was done when the soldiers were charged in court.
The complainant's uncle, a priest, is looking for a private lawyer, preferably a woman, to assist the team of Olongapo Prosecutor Prudencio Jalandoni.
"We have full trust in Prosecutor Jalandoni. We're putting in our private lawyer to provide balance," the mother said.
The complainant's family, who runs a restaurant business, has not received financial or other support from the government. But the mother said the family was not saying that they needed these forms of help.
"What we want is for the government to help us win this case," she said. "This is not just about my daughter's dignity. This is a matter of sovereignty -- our justice system versus that of the US."
The complainant, through Legarda, had said she wanted all her abusers in jail, including their Filipino driver, Timoteo Soriano Jr.
Soriano, as well as two of the six original accused -- Lance Corporal Albert Lara and Corporal Corey Burris -- have been cleared of involvement in the alleged crime
THE US Embassy's refusal to turn over to Philippine authorities the four American servicemen charged with rape has only served to strengthen the resolve of the complainant and her family to see the case through.
"Kahit matalo, manalo, lalaban kami (Win or lose, we will fight)," the woman's mother on Wednesday told the Inquirer by phone from Zamboanga City.
The mother said her daughter was "disheartened but undaunted" by the US Embassy's position.
"[But] we are not backing out of the fight, and the government should not as well," she said.
The mother also said they did not feel alone in their fight because private lawyers Katrina Legarda and Minerva Ambrosio had been continuing to make themselves available for legal advice.
"We are aware of the end of their services after the preliminary investigation," she said, adding that the termination of the lawyers' assistance was specified in the memorandum of agreement between the Child Justice League (CJL) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
The mother said her family had no ill feelings toward Legarda and company.
"They really helped ensure that those American soldiers were charged in court. We have a big trust in Attorney Legarda's group," she said.
Legarda and company, members of the CJL, have pulled out of the case, saying their services only covered the preliminary investigation. They said their task was done when the soldiers were charged in court.
The complainant's uncle, a priest, is looking for a private lawyer, preferably a woman, to assist the team of Olongapo Prosecutor Prudencio Jalandoni.
"We have full trust in Prosecutor Jalandoni. We're putting in our private lawyer to provide balance," the mother said.
The complainant's family, who runs a restaurant business, has not received financial or other support from the government. But the mother said the family was not saying that they needed these forms of help.
"What we want is for the government to help us win this case," she said. "This is not just about my daughter's dignity. This is a matter of sovereignty -- our justice system versus that of the US."
The complainant, through Legarda, had said she wanted all her abusers in jail, including their Filipino driver, Timoteo Soriano Jr.
Soriano, as well as two of the six original accused -- Lance Corporal Albert Lara and Corporal Corey Burris -- have been cleared of involvement in the alleged crime
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
8:25 AM
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