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U.S. Soldiers Charged With Rape

Prosecutors in the Philippines have charged four U.S. soldiers with the rape of a 22-year-old Filipino woman, but have cleared two others who were accused. While no public response has emerged from Washington to a request by the Philippine foreign affairs department to transfer custody of the Marines.

A statement by the U.S. Embassy says the United States will continue to cooperate with the Philippines under the two countries` Visiting Forces Agreement. Five of the Marines submitted affidavits, disputing allegations that the woman was gang-raped. The sixth soldier did not submit an affidavit.

A Filipino van driver was initially considered a witness and was charged as an accomplice. The American Embassy has detained the soldiers but has not commented on the transfer of custody. The Philippines is the only former U.S. colony in Asia and is a security ally in the region. Other than small protests, the case has not caused much public outcry or anti-American sentiment in the Philippines.