MANILA, Philippines - While struggling to live a normal life after being raped by a US soldier more than three years ago, Nicole has expressed disappointment over how her own government has been turning its back on her.
Nicole and her family, through lawyer Evalyn Ursua, have expressed disappointed over how Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith continues to enjoy his government’s care and protection although already convicted of the crime.
“You have to admire them for that,” Ursua told The STAR in an interview yesterday, as she relayed how Nicole, now 25, no longer believes in her own government.
“The family thinks na wala na talaga silang maaasahan (they have nothing to rely on). As a lawyer, I think that’s the worst indictment that a citizen has to say to her government,” she said.
Ursua said the Philippine government has betrayed Nicole and the Filipino people as evidenced by how it still wants to favor Smith and the US on the issue of custody even after the Supreme Court has decided that the convicted rapist should be transferred from the US embassy in Manila to a local prison facility.
Ursua further expressed dismay over how Philippine authorities are ignoring a rare opportunity to show political will and assert sovereignty.
She said that despite all the disappointments, Nicole and her family, particularly her mother, will continue to fight for justice.
“Nicole is struggling and trying to live a normal life here in Metro Manila,” the lawyer said.
Ursua maintains her belief that Smith is no longer in the Philippines despite supposed photographs showing him inside the US embassy.