Fight Back News Service is circulating the following press statement from the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. The statement deals with the rape of a Philippine woman, called Nicole, by a U.S. Marine. The case has attracted a huge amount of attention in the Philippines.

31 December 2007

ARROYO BETRAYS THE FILIPINO PEOPLE AND NICOLE

Utrecht, The Netherlands — Just like Judas, the regime of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, betrayed not only Nicole but also the national sovereignty of the Philippines when it kowtowed to the demand of the United States and turned over convicted rapist US Marine Corporal Daniel Smith to the custody of the US embassy in Manila.

“This action of the Arroyo regime smacks of obeisance at its worst. It is Gloria Arroyo’s New Year’s gift to her US masters. But why should we be surprised? The regime is just being true to its puppet character when like thieves in the night, her minions spirited Smith from the Makati City Jail to the comfort of the US embassy,” stated Luis G. Jalandoni of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

“Instead of rendering justice to Nicole who won the case against Smith, she is raped once more by the betrayal of those who are supposed to protect her and abide by the judgment of the court which found Smith guilty. Nicole is right when she said Arroyo stabbed her in the back,” added Jalandoni.

The Arroyo regime exchanged justice for Nicole and the sovereignty of the Filipino people for the much-criticized Balikatan military exercises which the US threatened to discontinue if Smith was not remanded to US custody.

“It is clear that when the interest of the Filipino people clashes with the interest of the US, this government will choose to uphold the interest of the United States and its citizens rather than the interest of the Filipino people. No kind of justice can ever be served under the Arroyo regime. But the victims, their families and the rest of the Filipino people have long memories and they will not forget. And they know whom to turn to for true justice to be rendered,” Jalandoni stated.

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