[News] Marines Gang Rape Filipino Woman - Emergency demonstration Friday, 11/4 SF

[Anti-Imperialist News]

EMERGENCY ACTION ALERT!

U.S. TROOPS GANG RAPE FILIPINA WOMAN IN THE PHILIPPINES

DEMONSTRATION TO DEMAND JUSTICE FOR THE VICTIM, AND NO IMMUNITY FOR THE 
PERPETRATORS

Today, Friday, November 4th, 4:30-6pm
San Francisco Federal Building
450 Golden Gate Avenue (Cross Street is Polk)
San Francisco, CA



DEMAND JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIMES COMMITTED BY US TROOPS!

JUNK THE VISITING FORCES AGREEMENT (VFA)!

US TROOPS OUT OF THE PHILIPPINES, MIDDLE EAST, & EVERYWHERE!


Organized by BAYAN USA, babae, League of Filipino Students, Committee for 
Human Rights in the Philippines
For more information contact: info at bayanusa.org or call 415-412-8915 or 
510-914-4461



----------------------------



News Release

Nov. 3, 2005



For reference:

Berna Ellorin

Public Information Officer, BAYAN USA,

ny at bayanusa.org / phone: 646-479-1605

www.bayanusa.org



NO IMMUNITY: CASE OF US TROOPS' GANG RAPE OF FILIPINA WOMAN MUST BE 
SURRENDERED TO PHILIPPINE JURISDICTION-- BAYAN USA



New York/San Francisco? The national alliance of Filipino organizations in 
the US known as BAYAN USA and its supporters strongly condemn the recent 
and brutal gang rape of a 22 year-old Filipina woman by at least six US 
Marines stationed in Subic Bay, Olongapo City two days ago last Tuesday, 
November 1.



The six suspects are currently being held in the Philippines under the 
custody of the US Embassy in Manila.



BAYAN USA spokesperson Berna Ellorin asserted, "this heinous crime against 
the Filipino people at the hands of the US military troops commands nothing 
less than comprehensive justice. This can only mean all efforts must be 
exerted by both the US and Philippine authorities for a full investigation 
of the alleged perpetrators. Absolutely NO IMMUNITY must be granted to the 
six suspects under US jurisdiction.
They must surrender to Philippine jurisdiction be tried and held 
accountable to the Filipino people and its legal system. The 
Macapagal-Arroyo government, if it is one with its people, must facilitate 
such a due process. Anything else is NOT justice."



According to the unidentified female victim, the group of six US marines 
invited her to join them in a rented van after a night out in a karaoke 
bar. A few hours later, as reported by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority 
(SBMA), witnesses said they saw the unconscious woman's body being dumped 
from the van on a road.



SBMA Chair Feliciano Salonga confirmed that the six US servicemen-- Keith 
Silkwood, Daniel Smith, Albert Lara, Dominic Duplantis, Corey Barris, and 
Chad Capent-- were "identified by the driver of the van."
Ellorin zoomed in on a vague claim by the US Embassy and US Charges 
D'Affairs Paul Jones that the US would "cooperate" with the Philippine 
authorities in an investigation of the incident.



"There is a century-long history of US military atrocities committed 
against Filipinos in the Philippines that were never brought to justice," 
Ellorin stated, citing previous examples including the shooting of unarmed 
civilian Buyong-Buyong Isnijal by US Soldier Reggie Lane in Basilan back in 
July 2002, the shooting of Aetas (an indigenous people) near Subic back in 
the eighties by US troops who claimed to have mistook them as wild boar, 
and countless human rights violations and sexual offenses against Filipino 
women.



"In all cases, Philippine government surrendered its criminal jurisdiction 
to the US. US soldiers, as protected by provisions under the Visiting 
Forces Agreement (VFA) are seldom surrendered to Philippine authorities 
much less tried under Philippine law. They are totally untouchable under US 
jurisdiction, despite crimes they can commit against Filipinos on 
Philippine soil. This means they can get away with anything from murder to 
gang rape, and not have to answer to the Philippine government," Ellorin 
explained.



Ellorin cited the unconstitutionality of the Visiting Forces Agreement in 
the first place, stating it directly violates Philippine national 
sovereignty. "The VFA should be repealed at once, for the rights and 
welfare of the Filipino people."



Jones, on the other hand, refused to disclose the exact whereabouts of the 
six US rape suspects, who were among the 4,500 US servicemen in the 
Philippines for the Talon joint military exercises since several weeks ago.



BAYAN USA called for increased national action in indignation and demanding 
justice for the victim. It reiterated its call for the total and 
unconditional withdrawal of US troops and US military aid from the 
Philippines. ###



For news reports on the gang rape, visit the following links:



http://wcbstv.com/topstories/topstories_story_307073852.html



http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4403134.stm





BAYAN USA is an alliance of progressive Filipino groups in the U.S. 
representing organizations of students, scholars, women, workers, and 
youth. As the only international chapter of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan 
(BAYAN-Philippines), BAYAN USA serves as an information bureau for the 
national democratic movement of the Philippines and as a campaign center 
for anti-imperialist Filipinos in the U.S. Members of BAYAN USA include: 
ANAKBAYAN (Los Angeles & Seattle), Committee for Human Rights in the 
Philippines (Oakland, Bay Area), Habi-Arts (Los Angeles), New York 
Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NY), League of Filipino 
Students (San Francisco), Pilipinos Organizing Workers for Empowerment and 
Respect (Los Angeles), and Critical Filipino and Filipino Studies Collective.



Official BAYAN USA statements and press releases are sent exclusively via 
bayanusanews list.  To join please send a request to info at bayanusa.org.





To subscribe or unsubscribe to the BAYAN USA Newslist please send an email 
toinfo at bayanusa.org






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