National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada
Statement

Philippine Court of Appeal ruling disappoints Filipino women’s demand for justice!

April 14, 2007

The National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada (NAPWC) stands indignantly against the recent Court of Appeals decision affirming the legality of transfer of custody of convicted rapist, U.S. Marine, Lance Corporal Daniel Smith from the Makati City Jail to the United States Embassy.

The NAPWC, with member organizations in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec, was part of the worldwide protest that brought attention to the case of the rape of “Nicole,” a young Filipina, with its vehement demands for justice. The Filipino community and its supporters in Canada, including advocates against violence against women, were delighted when Smith was found guilty last year.

“We believed that Smith’s incarceration would send a clear message to the U.S. and its soldiers, that there are consequences for committing violence against Filipino women,” shared Cecilia Diocson, Executive Director of NAPWC.

But when a deal between the Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s government and the U.S. government enabled them to transfer Smith from Philippine custody to the United States Embassy, the action once again exposed Arroyo’s subservience to U.S. imperialism, and the absence of genuine sovereignty in the Philippines. It also underlined the need to stand against violence against women in all forms and how rape and the further militarization of the Philippines is one of the most appalling form of violence because of the active participation and tacit approval of the Philippine government.

“We hoped that the Court of Appeal would hear the cries for justice from ‘Nicole’ and all Filipino women who stand against violence, and Filipinos who stand for Philippine sovereignty,” added Diocson, who noted that this ruling comes on the heels of 200 U.S. troops expected to arrive in Mindanao in the next few weeks.

“Instead we must double our efforts to demand the end of the violent and puppet Arroyo regime and a halt to the entry of U.S. soldiers into the Philippines, when they have clearly demonstrated that they have no concern for Filipino women or its people.”

NAPWC joins with GABRIELA Philippines in expressing its disappointment with the Court of Appeals in its ruling and commits to further advancing the struggle of Filipino women to be free of violence, and for the Philippine people to have genuine sovereignty.

Stop the Rape of Filipino Women and Children and of the Filipino Nation!
Break the Silence! Stop Violence Against Women!
U.S. Troops Out of the Philippines!
Oust the US-Arroyo regime!
Down with US imperialism!

Statement issued by: National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada
Philippine Women Centre of BC
Philippine Women Centre of Manitoba
Philippine Women Centre of Quebec
Philippine Women Centre of Ontario
PINAY sa Montreal