The decision of the Court of Appeals (CA) yesterday (April 23, 2009) shocked the country as it acquits US Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith as the primary suspect to the Subic-rape case issue.

The CA said that the incident was a result of being carried away by both of the parties. The CA furthermore said that no strong evidence aside from the testimony of the victim (Nicole) was presented in the court to prove that Smith was really guilty thus making it makes its decision to let Daniel Smith walk away freely, not just from the case but from the custody of our country. The decision was personally unfair for the family of the said victim, but they got no other choices left but to accept the decision of the body.

Giving my opinion personally, the CA however shouldn’t have let Daniel Smith to be out of our custody because his innocence is not yet 100% proven. If he was then acquitted, he must stay in our country’s custody for the purpose of retrial and appealing again the case. If they have let Smith walk away with no restrictions at all, the chances of having Subic-rape case no.2 is not impossible. The victim as well as his family is now in grave situation because the possibility of appealing again for the case now is close to none. Death treats and the likes are now also inevitable because since acquitted, Smith has totally regained his freedom. The last call will still be for the CA to make, but weigh first the situation before giving your judgments.