National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada
Press Release

Filipino women in Canada condemn gang rape of Filipino woman by US Marines and all forms of violence against women

For immediate release: September 15, 2006

While the trial in the Philippines continues today against four U.S. Marines accused of raping a 22-year-old Filipino woman last year, a national Filipino women’s organization calls for unity amongst women to condemn rape and violence against women.

‘Nicole’ – not her real name – was gang raped by six U.S. Marines in Olongapo City, site of the former Subic U.S. Naval Base, last November 2005.  According to testimony in the trial, 'Nicole' was likely drugged, raped in a cruising van with loud music blasting and then dumped naked on the road.  While only four soldiers stand accused: Lance Corporals Daniel Smith, Dominic Duplantis, Keith Silkwood, and Staff Sargeant Chad Carpentier, all six U.S. Marines involved were in the country as part of the ongoing joint U.S.-Philippine military exercises.

“Rape of Filipino women by US soldiers is not something new,” says Cecilia Diocson, Chairperson of the National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada (NAPWC). “The case of ‘Nicole’ only shows how the continued US military presence in the Philippines continues to strip us of our dignity as Filipino women,” she adds.

Upon hearing the news of the reported rape last November, member organizations of the NAPWC rallied along with their Canadian supporters outside the U.S. consulate offices across Canada to condemn the rape. 

“We call on all women to unite with the victims of rape and violence against women in demanding justice for ‘Nicole’,” says Diocson. “We also condemn violence against women, the perpetrators of rape and the continuing US military presence in the Philippines,” she adds.

According to the latest reports, ‘Nicole’ and her mother walked out of the trial being held in the Philippines yesterday, saying the public prosecutors were “incompetent.”

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For more information, please contact:

Vancouver: May Farrales, Philippine Women Centre of BC, ph: 604-215-1103 or e-mail: pwc@kalayaancentre.net

Montreal: Joanne Vasquez, Philippine Women Centre of Quebec, ph: 514-659-4300

Toronto: Joy Sioson, Philippine Women Centre of Ontario, ph: 416-878-8772