Nicole returns to ‘crime scene’
THE complainant in the Subic rape case returned to the Freeport Zone in Olongapo City yesterday, exactly a year after she was allegedly raped by one of the four accused US marines in the former US naval base.
“On this day last year I went to Subic for a vacation,” said Nicole, 23, who was 22 when the supposed rape happened.
“I was full of life and hope for my future. I was living happily with my family. I never thought that vacation would end up in tragedy.”
Nicole was accompanied by her mother and siblings in Subic, where the amphibious assault ship USS Essex was docked once more.
The same ship had carried the four accused—Lance Cpls. Daniel Smith, Keith Silkwood and Dominic Duplantis and Staff Sgt. Chad Carpentier—for exercises with the Philippine military last year.
Nicole claimed that Smith raped her in a moving van on Nov. 1 last year while his three companions cheered him on. The marines denied her. The marines’ trial took four months, and the Makati City Regional Trial Court is announcing its decision on Nov. 27
“Now, after one year, I see that the ship that carried my rapists are back,” Nicole said. “They will again be on the prowl for victims. How many girls will they rape now?”
Nicole said it had not been easy for her and her family to file a case against the four marines, and in particular because of the government’s alleged lack of support.
“Instead of siding with me they made it difficult for me,” she said, adding the public prosecutors had even tried to settle her case out of court.
“[The four marines] should pay for what they did to me,” she said. “They should go to jail.” Ferdinand Fabella - Manila Standard Today
“On this day last year I went to Subic for a vacation,” said Nicole, 23, who was 22 when the supposed rape happened.
“I was full of life and hope for my future. I was living happily with my family. I never thought that vacation would end up in tragedy.”
Nicole was accompanied by her mother and siblings in Subic, where the amphibious assault ship USS Essex was docked once more.
The same ship had carried the four accused—Lance Cpls. Daniel Smith, Keith Silkwood and Dominic Duplantis and Staff Sgt. Chad Carpentier—for exercises with the Philippine military last year.
Nicole claimed that Smith raped her in a moving van on Nov. 1 last year while his three companions cheered him on. The marines denied her. The marines’ trial took four months, and the Makati City Regional Trial Court is announcing its decision on Nov. 27
“Now, after one year, I see that the ship that carried my rapists are back,” Nicole said. “They will again be on the prowl for victims. How many girls will they rape now?”
Nicole said it had not been easy for her and her family to file a case against the four marines, and in particular because of the government’s alleged lack of support.
“Instead of siding with me they made it difficult for me,” she said, adding the public prosecutors had even tried to settle her case out of court.
“[The four marines] should pay for what they did to me,” she said. “They should go to jail.” Ferdinand Fabella - Manila Standard Today
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