A key witness, the driver of the van where the alleged rape of a Filipina by six US marines took place is set to be summoned on Thursday by Philippine authority to shed light on the incident in Subic Bay, a former US naval base.

The driver named Timoteo Sariano, who has reportedly gone hiding after receiving threats to his life, will be summoned by the Legislative Oversight Committee on the Visiting Forces Agreement, Xinhua learned from the senate on Wednesday.

In the hearing, the committee will review the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), particularly the criminal provisions on custody, preliminary investigation, bail and trial.

However, details about the testimony were not available immediately.

The committee was co-chaired by senator Miriam Defensor- Santiago and representative Antonio Cuenco, specialized to monitor activities and legal affairs in the framework of VFA between the US and Philippine governments.

The alleged rape happened on Nov. 1 has aroused anti-American sentiments in the Philippines and brought the VFA under fire for giving privileges to the US military conducting exercises in the country.

Soriano had modified his earlier statement that the victim was gang raped, denying that he never witnessed the supposed rape. Meanwhile, he said that he was forced by police investigators to sign the modified affidavit.

Source: Xinhua