The US Marine acquitted on appeal in a high-profile rape case has left the Philippines, but he could face court martial in the US, officials said.
"Following the decision of the Philippine Court of Appeals, Daniel Smith departed the Philippines under the authority of United States military officials," the US embassy said in a statement.
Calling the rape case "long and difficult," the US embassy said Smith was detained for more than three years in its premises in compliance with the Visiting Forces Agreement, which governs the conduct of US troops in the Philippines.
Abigail Kwok, Smith may still face US court martial, Inquirer.net, 24 April 2009.
As clandestinely as when he was transferred from the Makati City Jail to the US Embassy compound in Manila after his rape conviction in December 2006, Lance Corporal Daniel Smith has been flown out of the country.
Tarra Quismundo, When, how US Marine left RP is unknown, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 25 April 2009.