US Marines refuse to answer Phillipines rape charges

FOUR US Marines refused to answer rape charges against them yesterday in the Philippines, prompting the judge to enter a not guilty plea for them in a case that has stirred emotions about the US military presence in the ex-American colony.

The rape charges against the four are punishable by up to 40 years in jail.

It was the first public appearance by Lance Corporals Daniel Smith, Keith Silkwood and Dominic Duplantis and Staff Sergeant Chad Carpentier since the alleged November 1 rape of a 22-year-old Philippine woman.