Ilongga lawyer of rape victim slams govt on 'special treatment' of convicted US marine
Ilongga lawyer Evelyn Ursua is furious over what she said was the special treatment accorded by the government to rape convict, United States Marine soldier, Lance Corporal Daniel Smith.
Albeit the latest addition to the roster of new inmates at the Makati City Jail, Ursua decried the "unusual" benefits allowed on the American soldier. As such, the Ilongga lawyer slammed Philippine authorities for permitting Smith access to the "outside world" courtesy of his cellular phone and a laptop computer. Regular inmates are deprived of both and any perks once remitted for detention.
He should be treated like any ordinary convicted criminal, Ursua stressed in a Bombo Radyo Iloilo interview as she went on further to voice her objection on the matter.
With the continued clear special treatment, said Ilongga lawyer vowed to file corresponding motions in Court. This, as she confirmed the legal assistance now extended by former Senate President Jovito Salonga and former Senator Wigberto Tanada to her client's case.
Meantime, a petition was filed to the Supreme Court (SC) by the camp of the Filipina victim calling for the declaration of a significant provision in the Visiting Force Agreement (VFA) as unconstitutional.
As per motion of Ursua's group, the provision that allows US authorities the custody of an American soldier subject of a legal proceeding in the Philippines must be scrapped.
To note, lawyers of the American soldier petitioned the Court of Appeals for Smith's transfer to the US Embassy pending the appeal of the rape conviction.