Nicole's Recantation Manifests How Unjust The Philippine Justice System Is

I CANNOT JUDGE NICOLE. . . TOO MUCH.

It has been more than three years that the crime occurred and more than two years that Daniel Smith was sentenced to 40 years of imprisonment. Nicole wanted him to suffer the consequences (She even wanted him in death.). After the verdict was out Nicole and her family were happy that justice was fulfilled.

This success was troubled by the existing Visiting Forces Agreement(VFA) which allows US Military Forces to 'visit' the Philippines for the desire in strengthening international and regional security. There were appeals and confusions to where Smith should be detained. After few days of detainment in the Philippines Prison, he was then transferred to the custody of the US Embassy.

Nicole was not caressed by the government. Shame. The government even favored the alien alleged of committing rape to a citizen of this country for the Regime's and USA's Interests.

Sad. Provocative. Et al.

Nicole's recantation manifests how unjust the Philippine justice system is. This is true. We are not surprised of this prejudice. We know this is wrong that is why there is a movement for social change.

Nicole, perhaps, doesn't know about this and did not have enough courage to fight for her right. This is the other angle of the story. Napakaraming lumalaban para sa kanya at sa iba pang dumanas ng karahasan. Nicole loses hope and some courage. She expected that everything will be fine after winning the case against the alleged rapist. BUT it was not.

If I were in here in position, I would also feel despair and disappointment.

However, in this circumstance that the state proved its being unjust, Filipinos should be more militant. Nicole was not. She had given up the fight for justice for her personal interest. She had wanted justice and escape then from this predicament. She is weak. She is egocentric. She is conceited. [Hope this isn't much.]

Also, here comes another angle of the issue - bribery. Well, perhaps, this is true. Why recant now amidst VFA debate? The Arroyo Regime doesn't want to get embarrassed to their 'BRO'. That is why they let Daniel Smith be in the custody of the US and was given special treatment [See how Daniel Smith grow and gain a lot of weight. Haha.] and assert the legitimacy of the VFA.

And shame to Nicole, if bribery is indeed true, that she accepted it. [I am not pertaining to the 100k that her family received because as what I've read, it was legal and court-mandated.]

What is also more confusing is that the counsel of Daniel Smith processed the affidavit that Nicole filed [I smell something.] and not her own counsel. There was really an 'outside-court' transactions since Atty. Ursua did not have any communication for almost/more than a month and she received a letter of terminati0n from Nicole's mother days after. Why didn't Nicole, if she really wanted to recant her first pledged statements, consulted and let her counsel process it? And what the hell that among the thousands of lawyers in the Philippines, why under the counsel of the alleged rapist?

She already flew outside the Philippines.

"Nicole’s departure for the United States was announced on March 17, by her now ex-lawyer, Evalyn Ursua, who said she had no prior knowledge of the move. Nicole’s mother confirmed Ursua’s announcement.

Based on records of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and the Bureau of Immigration office made available to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Nicole flew to Japan on Mar. 16 on board Flight 746 of Japan Airlines.

Flight 746, a Boeing 747 plane with 400 passengers, left NAIA 1 at 9:06 a.m. and arrived at Tokyo’s Narita Airport at 1:55 p.m.

Nicole was listed among the passengers, but the records did not indicate her connecting flight to United States."-Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Wherever she is now, she should have not left. She should be here now. Questions uttered in the air need answers. I know NICOLE WILL GO BACK TO THE PHILIPPINES. She still has to face the court regarding her affidavit which is, not really contrary but, putting uncertainties to her statements.

Her recantation even affirms the intervention of outside forces, who ,perhaps, are those people who wanted to clear the name of USA and those who wanted to protect the interests gained from it. [Remember US pulled out Balikatan after the guilty verdict of Daniel Smith.]

MANY ARE DISAPPOINTED.

MANY ARE ANGRY.
MANY CONDEMN 'NICOLE'.

BUT her recantation will not stop the struggle for justice and truth. This will even trigger people's movement. The struggle continues and will continue. As long as there are still abused, as long as there is still discrimination, people will not remain quite. Voices will become louder and louder.

WE DO NOT DESERVE A FASCIST, SEMI-COLONIAL, SEMI-FEUDAL AND BUREAUCRAT CAPITALIST SOCIETY!

PATULOY ANG LABAN PARA SA ISANG TUNAY AT PURONG KALAYAAN!!!

MABUHAY KABATAANG PILIPINO!