Daniel Smith still in US embassy - Devanadera

MANILA, Philippines – Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera claimed yesterday that convicted rapist United States Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith is still within the premises of the US Embassy, contrary to the claims of lawyer Harry Roque that he is now somewhere in Quezon City.

Interviewed over state-run radio dzRB, Devanadera said that she was surprised by the claim of Roque, who gave the information during last Friday’s oral arguments before the Supreme Court regarding the issue of custody over Smith.

Devanadera said that her office, together with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, have started inquiring about the claims of Roque and found that the information was wrong.

According to Devanadera, Roque cited a certain Mr. Craig as the source of his information, and even claimed that US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney confirmed that Smith was now housed in another compound.

Devanadera said that DILG undersecretary Marius Corpus, who is in charge of monitoring Smith at the US Embassy, has checked with embassy officials and could not find anyone named Craig there.

As part of the arrangement between the Philippine and US governments on the detention of Smith within the embassy premises, the DILG could conduct periodic visits and monitoring without prior notice to the embassy.

“We are wondering where he got his information. He even said that he (Smith) was brought to Quezon City. The US Embassy has no facility there in Quezon City. So I don’t know where he got that idea,” Devanadera said.

She assured the public that Smith is still within the premises of the US Embassy and that the Philippine government would always look after the interests of the parties involved, particularly the rape victim “Nicole.”

“So I want to assure the public that there should be no concern about Daniel Smith having escaped or (been) taken somewhere else,” Devanadera said.

“He is there at the US Embassy and this is backed by the DILG,” she added.

During last Friday’s hearing, Devanadera said that the last time Smith was seen at the US Embassy compound was on Sept. 12.

Devanadera said yesterday that a photograph of Smith was even taken with him holding up a copy of the day’s newspaper.