MARINE CASE UPDATE 5/16/06

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANILA 002085 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/16/2016 TAGS: PREL MARR KCRM CASC RP SUBJECT: MARINE CASE UPDATE 5/16/06 REF: MANILA 1968 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) Pre-trial hearings continue in the case of four U.S. Marines accused of raping a Filipina. At a pre-trial hearing on May 11, Judge Pozon received a Motion for Clarification of the one-year time-limit for judicial proceedings specified in the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). -------------- MISSION SUPPORT -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On May 8, Ambassador met with SSgt Chad Carpentier, LCpl Daniel Smith, LCpl Dominic Duplantis, and LCpl Keith Silkwood in their quarters on the Chancery property. Following that meeting, the Embassy working group on the case met and recommended additional duties and projects to help maintain positive morale through further activities and exercise. DCM approved several new activities and increased access to exercise equipment, and directed the working group to continue to review the Marines' welfare and to continue to look for appropriate ways to support morale. Also during the week of May 8, DCM and Public Affairs Officer continued to background the local media to educate them on the VFA and how the current process is conforming to VFA requirements. -------------- NEXT STEPS -------------- ¶3. (C) Ambassador and DCM continue to dialogue discretely with senior GRP officials to maintain their focus on this case. We stress the importance of respecting the Marines legal and human rights; the need for a transparent, efficient, and fair judicial process; and the significance of continuing support for the VFA as a cornerstone of USG-GRP bilateral relations. We continue to hear, including from our most important interlocutors, that the case is moving normally through the judicial system, despite sometimes sensationalist media reporting. We have quietly relayed U.S. views on the one-year period (ref A),and will report GRP reactions. Kenney