Re: RP Press reports & comments re US refusal to yield custody of accused Marines
- From: "pacman paki" <sylviapatis@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: 19 Jan 2006 06:26:14 -0800
there you go
By JIM GOMEZ
..c The Associated Press
MANILA, Philippines (AP) - A Philippine congressional committee
approved a resolution Thursday calling on the government to abrogate an
accord allowing large-scale American military exercises in the country
after U.S. officials refused to hand over four U.S. Marines accused of
rape.
Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, who heads the committee, said abrogating
the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement would allow the government to
negotiate a new accord with Washington that would give more power to
the Philippines to take custody of U.S. soldiers who run afoul of local
law.
The resolution also calls for suspending budgets to prevent the
Philippine military from holding joint combat and counterterrorism
exercises with U.S. forces during the trial of the U.S. Marines,
Santiago said.
The four are accused of raping a woman Nov. 1 in a former American
naval base northwest of Manila.
The Philippine government has sought custody of the Marines, who are
being held at the U.S. Embassy, after a judge issued warrants for their
arrest in connection with the alleged rape. But Washington formally
rejected Manila's request, invoking the 1999 accord that allows
American authorities to keep custody of suspects during legal
proceedings.
Manila's Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday it reiterated its
request to gain custody of the Marines.
``The Philippine government is seriously concerned over the patent
disparity in the treatment of U.S. military personnel in other
countries on the issue of custody in criminal cases,'' the department
said in a diplomatic note it sent to U.S. officials Tuesday.
There was no immediate sign that the U.S. Embassy would reconsider its
decision.
The U.S. decision infuriated many in the former U.S. colony, including
many Filipino lawmakers, and set off small but noisy street protests.
``This is an outrage to our integrity and dignity,'' said Rep. Antonio
Cuenco, who voted for the resolution.
The resolution must be approved by the country's Senate and House of
Representatives and then go to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for
her approval or veto.
The 1999 accord would be considered terminated 180 days after either
Manila or Washington sends a written notice to the other of its desire
to abrogate the pact.
Santiago said the Philippines should seek a new bilateral accord
similar to those separately forged by Japan and South Korea with
Washington. The Philippine government claims those accords allow easier
access to U.S. troops who get involved in crime.
The rape case is seen as a black mark on U.S. military exercises that
have been credited with helping weaken al-Qaida-linked militants in the
southern Philippines.
The Marines were on liberty after counterterrorism maneuvers with
Filipino troops when the alleged rape occurred.
.
- References:
- RP Press reports & comments re US refusal to yield custody of accused Marines
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- Re: RP Press reports & comments re US refusal to yield custody of accused Marines
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- Re: RP Press reports & comments re US refusal to yield custody of accused Marines
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