That's the Daily Mail's headline for a story it published today regarding the suicide of Scottish teenage Daniel Perry who fell prey to a Filipino online scam. But if you think those who've allegedly been arrested in this joint Police operation will be brought before the Courts, then you may be disappointed. Given the remoteness of the victim, all the individuals involved will very likely be granted bail and such is the corruption here, may not even be arraigned for any offence and/or evidence against them simply "disappears". That aside, the Bill of Rights - that forms an integral part of the Philippine Constitution - guarantees that a person accused of a crime shall face his accuser in Court. Under the Philippine system of jurisprudence, the "accuser" is not the State but a private individual (or entity) who makes the complaint. In this case, that would have to be Daniel's parents and they will have to prove that Daniel's death was directly and solely attributable to the actions of the accused. That would mean, of course, that the parents would have to come to the Philippines, file complaints with the State Prosecutor and attend every hearing - and that, as you may know, can mean a very long stay indeed.
