“Nicole” leaves for the US, for good

“There is going suspicion that maybe Nicole was pressured and weunderstand her situation right now,” said Rep. Liza Maza of women’sparty list Gabriela in a telephone interview on ANC’s DatelinePhilippines.

“We were surprised by the turn of events,” added Maza.

She also said that the termination of Ursua’s services is immaterialto the case because there is already a conviction against Smith.

“It’s really kinda strange,” remarked Maza, pertaining to the factthat Nicole’s mother sent the letter to Justiniano before sending it toUrsua.

Meanwhile, Maza said the demoralization of Nicole and her family,which led them to give up on the case, was caused by two things.

“The framework of this whole case is unequal, the Visiting ForcesAgreement itself,” she said, adding that “Malacañang is not reallyserious in really pushing for our sovereignty and even the sovereigndecision of our Philippine courts on this issue.”

She also noted that “This issue is beyond Nicole. This is an issueof a woman who has been violated there was a crime committed. And theperpetrator of such crime should be punished.”

Maza added, “Nasa burden talaga ng Malacañang, ng ating ponggobyerno para i- assert itong ating posisyon kaugnay ng kaso ni Nicoleat kaugnay ng Visiting Forces Agreement.” 

"Nicole is one of a string of cases dating back during the time when the bases are here,” concluded Maza.