Order for 4 US Marines’ arraignment out today

OLONGAPO CITY — The city’s Regional Trial Court Branch 73 will issue today the order for the arraignment of the four US Marines accused of raping a 22-year-old Filipina at the Subic Bay Freeport last November.

RTC Vice Executive Judge Renato Dilag said he will issue today the order for the arraignment of LCpl. Daniel Smith, LCpl. Dominic Duplantis, LCpl. Keith Silkwood and S/Sgt. Chad Carpentier, who are all under the custody of the US Embassy in Manila.

Dilag said the four US Marines will be arraigned five days before the end of the 60-day period given to the Department of Justice to review the resolution charging them.

"We cannot waste any more time because we have to consider the one-year limit within which to settle all cases under the Visiting Forces Agreement," Dilag told The STAR.

Under the rules of court, he said all the accused must be present in court to hear the formal charges against them and enter of plea of "guilty" or "not guilty."

Dilag expressed confidence that the four US servicemen will appear in court when required.

The arraignment will be the first time for the four US Marines to appear in court since the case was filed against them last November.

The complainant alleged that she was raped inside a van on the night of Nov. 1 last year while she was in the company of several US Marines, including the four accused.