Philippine officials defend handing over U.S. Marine

[Judi Lynn]

Jan. 2, 2007, 8:59AM
Philippine officials defend handing over U.S. Marine
Marine convicted of rape moved from a local jail to the American Embassy during appeal

By HRVOJE HRANJSKI
Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine officials defended their decision today to transfer a U.S. Marine convicted of rape from a local jail to the American Embassy, and a lawyer for the victim filed a contempt of court complaint against them.

The United States also announced that it would go ahead with joint military exercises with Philippine forces in February — exercises that the U.S. had earlier canceled, citing the custody dispute.

The victim's lawyer, Evalyn Ursua, alleged that the Philippine secretaries of the interior and justice violated the order of the Court of Appeals to keep Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith, 21, of St. Louis, in a Manila jail while he appeals his conviction and 40-year prison sentence.

A 23-year-old Filipino woman accused Smith of sexually assaulting her in November 2005, as three other Marines allegedly cheered him on.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said the government had to take action "in order to forestall the further deterioration in our strategic relationship with the United States."
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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/world/4438697.html