Marines' rape trial ends, verdict out on Nov 27

MANILA, Oct 5 (Reuters) The rape trial of four US Marines before a Manila court wrapped up today and the judge set November 27 as a tentative verdict date.

The Marines, being detained by the US embassy in Manila, were accused of raping a 23-year-old Filipino woman inside a van at a former US navy base northwest of the capital last year.

They have denied the charges filed in December, saying only one of them had sex with the woman and that it was consensual. They said the woman was being manipulated to incriminate them.

''It's now up to the judge to decide,'' said Senior State Prosecutor Emelie Fe delos Santos, after her team decided not to recall witnesses to rebut defence testimony.

Judge Benjamin Pozon of the Makati regional trial court gave the two sides 30 days to submit final arguments for a decision and set November. 27 as a tentative date for handing down a verdict.

The case has fuelled heavy local media interest amid criticism that US troops are given too much protection under an agreement allowing them to train in the Philippines.

Last month, the woman appealed to the justice department to change the panel of government lawyers handling her case for lack of confidence and incompetence. But her request was denied.

During the four-month trial, which began in June, the prosecution paraded more than 20 witnesses while the defence had six.

The trial has prompted only small protests and is not likely to hurt close ties between the Philippines and the United States, the poor Southeast Asian country's former colonial ruler.

REUTERS PB PM1621