RP issues subpoenas for U.S. troops<\/p>\n
THE PHILIPPINES: Philippine prosecutors issued subpoenas on
\nTuesday to question six U.S. soldiers accused of gang-raping a
\nFilipino woman in a van after military exercises earlier this
\nmonth.<\/p>\n
Jovencito Zuno, the chief state prosecutor, said the suspects
\nhad 10 days to respond with counteraffidavits and that he hoped
\nan initial investigation would be completed in 60 days.<\/p>\n
The six soldiers, who have not been charged with any offense,
\nremain in U.S. custody in the Philippines after their colleagues
\naboard the USS Essex left when the military exercises ended.<\/p>\n
Manila is a major ally to Washington in the region and both
\nsides say the alleged attack on a 22-year-old woman in the Subic
\nBay area on Nov. 1 will do nothing to hurt relations.<\/p>\n
Still, leftist and women's groups have called for a visiting
\nforces agreement between the two countries to be scrapped and the
\nsix U.S. soldiers to be brought under Philippine jurisdiction.<\/p>\n
Officials at the U.S. Embassy in Manila pledged cooperation in
\nthe investigation and said the suspects would be made available
\nfor questioning but have given no indication whether the soldiers
\ncould be turned over to Philippine authorities. -- Reuters<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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