The Department of Foreign Affairs today reiterated its primary right to exercise jurisdiction pursuant to paragraph 1(a) and paragraph 3(a), Article V of the Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the United States of America Regarding the Treatment of United States Armed Forces Visiting the Philippines (“the Agreement”) in relation to the complaints of rape filed against certain United States military personnel at the City Prosecution Office of Olongapo City.

In this connection, the Department gave formal notification today, in accordance with paragraphs 4 and 7 of Article V of the Agreement, and in particular paragraph 6 of Article V of the Agreement, for the US Embassy to make the respondents named in the Subpoenas issued by Olongapo City Prosecutor Prudencio B. Jalandoni dated 08 November 2005, available to the Office of the City Prosecution of Olongapo City on the time and dates specified in the Subpoenas for the preliminary investigation of the charges of rape.

The Department has received the assurance of the US Embassy of their full cooperation and compliance with their treaty commitments under the Agreement.

The Department will continue to work closely with the appropriate Philippine authorities to ensure that justice is served. END