These young Marines were obviously set up by those who wish to damage U.S. counter-terrorism efforts in the Philippines. Why do I say that? Unless times have changed drastically, Filipino women do not hang out in Olangapo bars with sailors and marines unless they are either prostitutes or they have some other more nefarious agenda.
You would think the Marines would know better than to get themselves in a situation like this.
Jeeze I didn't know US bases had been reopened here.
Thank-you for posting that tidbit. It changes the entire tone to the story.
"Filipino women do not hang out in Olangapo bars with sailors and marines unless they are either prostitutes or they have some other more nefarious agenda."
It's just a bad situation. It is possible to rape a prostitute. Most women in Olangapo bars are prostitutes, but not ALL of them. Unless you count those trying to find a husband and a way to America prostitutes, then you really get into that grey area.
I'm guessing it's just bad judgement, in a bad situation, and it's going to have a bad result. I don't think it's a conspiricy.
Your theory could be correct.If these Marines are tried in a Philippine court,one can only hope they use DNA tests,and accurate ones at that.
Olangpo is the world's largest whorehouse...things get real nasty down there real quick..
I agree these young Marines were set up....
On careful rereading, this sounds highly suspicious. Apparently the driver didn't back up the woman's story, so he's been charged also. This makes it 5 to 1 on the story. Not at all impossible that the 5 are lying, although I would think that the driver would have little reason to lie to protect the sailors.
He may change his story for a plea bargain, and the charges against him may be part of the pressure being put on him.
Yikes. The wife of a sailor friend of ours was telling us a story about her hubby's first visit to the Philippines. I guess the sailors were warned before leaving the ship that they should steer clear of entanglements with the women at that port. Or they could be taking a wife home because the authorities there always side with the female.
I would agree with your assesment except for one thing:
"Smith and the others, along with the woman, had been drinking at a bar and were rushing back to the USS Essex to beat a curfew, he said."
Why would the woman be going back to the boat if she was a bargirl. Notice there is no mention of the girl's nationality.
I'm thinking there's more to the story.
This is an "Oh-Po" scam that is as old as Oh-Po itself.
Hostetute, (never call her anything else) goes "out" with GI.
Evening ends, hostetute goes to her friend at the constabulary. Friend files charges. Prosecutor may or may not be in on the take.
Result: LEGAL HOLD.
What happens is this. Charges are filed and sailor or marine in question is put on "legal hold", meaning that he cannot leave the country or, in days gone by, the base.
The trial just never seems to happen. Typically there is one delay after another delay and a further delay, and then when everything is all set, another delay.
The idea is to NOT go to trial. By now, said sailor or marine has been on legal hold for about a year and a half.
The prosecution puts out a feeler. The "victim" just wants to "forget" about this, IF the perp makes her life "right" with x number of dollars.
What? Extortion you say? Your trial has now been postponed for another year just because you insulted our "system". That's right, you stay on legal hold till we reschedule you.
Oh, you want to go home? Now let's see about this comfort money......
When I was stationed at Subic, we had hundreds of guys on "legal hold"
Most got smart quick and settled up, went on with their lives. Poorer but smarter.
Hope these guys get a price quote quick.
Olongapo was notorious for its hookers and their antibiotic-resistant STDs.
I have strong doubts that she was raped - I think she didn't get paid what she thought she was worth.
I tend to agree. I posted this story a few weeks back and after reading the details and comments (your input included), it was probably a set-up either for cash or pro-terrorism.
Yep, I've thought that from the first time I heard about this. Good luck to the four Marines though, in this PC world we live in where women can do no wrong, I'm afraid they are screwed before they even have a trial. It doesn't make any difference that they're in the military either; the military is getting more and more PC all the time to. They'll be hung out to dry I'm sure.