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with 'SWINDON NEWS'
11:49am Friday 9th May 2008
A WALCOT man who fled the Philippines in a dramatic bid to stop his baby daughter being taken from him, has spoken out to answer his critics.
A recent Advertiser story about David Scott, who faces a seven-year jail sentence for adultery after fathering a child with his Filipino girlfriend, caused much debate on the paper's letter pages and website.
Many readers have been critical of David's actions, saying he should have respected the laws of the country he was living in.
Now David has spoken out from Bangkok, where he fled with his girlfriend Cynthia and baby daughter Janina, to set the record straight.
He said: "I would like to say that when I began my relationship with Cynthia her relationship with her husband had long since broken up.
"And, while adultery is illegal in the Philippines, actions are very rarely taken, and almost never against the men in these marriages.
"The husband had actually asked for an annulment himself as he was in another relationship.
"Sadly the husband in the case decided it was an opportunity to make money because, I believe, he thought I was a rich foreigner, and so he submitted a claim firstly for £7,000, and now £30,000.
"I believe payments were made to officials to have us arrested.
"Because we have a baby daughter born and being brought up in a loving relationship it would be difficult to defend ourselves, and we both faced jail, with the horrific thought that our daughter would be handed over to Cynthia's estranged husband under the country's law.
"I am sure if I was a Filipino this would never had made the courts."
The couple sought help at the British Embassy in Manila, as well as from human rights officials, who advised them to leave.
He said: "In doing so, very large amounts of cash were demanded - illegally - for the proper and legal documentation.
"We were not fleeing justice. We want justice for our baby. We were fleeing corruption."
David said it was not the case that he was being prevented from returning to his home by the UK Government.
He said: "I am British. I believe in the British sense of fair play.
"Cynthia and I have not criticised the British Foreign Office, but my mum has jumped the gun a little in saying we are being prevented from going back to the UK.
"My mum is at her wits' end and cries when she sees Janina on web cam and wants to hold her as soon as possible.
"We are in Bangkok where we are putting together all the paperwork to satisfy the authorities.
"This includes DNA testing of myself and my new family. It has been a nightmare, but I cannot desert the woman I love and the daughter I love.
"We hope the British Government has a heart and looks on our case sympathetically.
"I would especially like to thank my relatives and friends in Swindon, and the support of the local newspaper and MPs."
malkym, says...
12:13pm Fri 9 May 08
emmylou83, Stratton says...
12:21pm Fri 9 May 08
Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon says...
12:29pm Fri 9 May 08
malkym, says...
12:31pm Fri 9 May 08
emmylou83 wrote:Even though you'll be paying for them?
I wish him and his family all the luck in the world. No one deserves this esp as it seems to a case of a money hungry almost ex husband
emmylou83, Stratton says...
12:47pm Fri 9 May 08
Robert Feal-Martinez wrote:Me and lordb are fab as far as I know we're going out tomorrow he's forcing me to watch doomsday - he's paying I don't mind haha
LordB see you and emmy haven't kissed and made up. Bit of an aggressive post for you old chap, it will be just orange juice next time.
LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
12:47pm Fri 9 May 08
Robert Feal-Martinez wrote:Cheeky!
LordB see you and emmy haven't kissed and made up. Bit of an aggressive post for you old chap, it will be just orange juice next time.
emmylou83, Stratton says...
12:49pm Fri 9 May 08
malkym wrote:Yeah because I don't agree with the law its stupid
emmylou83 wrote: I wish him and his family all the luck in the world. No one deserves this esp as it seems to a case of a money hungry almost ex husbandEven though you'll be paying for them?
Terence, Swindon says...
1:20pm Fri 9 May 08
malkym, says...
1:26pm Fri 9 May 08
Al Smith, Swindon, UK says...
2:07pm Fri 9 May 08
Taxpower, Swinetown says...
2:08pm Fri 9 May 08
emmylou83, Stratton says...
2:10pm Fri 9 May 08
angry monkey, Swindon says...
2:17pm Fri 9 May 08
emmylou83 wrote:I agree. You cant trust people in these tinpot countries with their silly laws
malkym wrote:Yeah because I don't agree with the law its stupidemmylou83 wrote: I wish him and his family all the luck in the world. No one deserves this esp as it seems to a case of a money hungry almost ex husbandEven though you'll be paying for them?
john c, swindon says...
2:55pm Fri 9 May 08
Should have kept it in your trousers son! - still never mind - we'll pay to repatriate you all - you marry her - she gets - British passport and citizenship - oh says SBC -you have a baby - have a council house on us then - there you go easy - job done! Oh - benefits cheque - lets see - what we can do dole, tax credits, family allowance, council tax rebate,etc! So as David Essex sang - "with your love light shinin', every clouds got a, silver lining"-
Flamer, Swindon says...
3:04pm Fri 9 May 08
Taxpower, Swinetown says...
3:10pm Fri 9 May 08
Flamer wrote:Thats rights lets UK citizens debauchery get away with it abroad because it is obviously working in the UK as you have magnificently illustrated. As for Burmah and the Burmese, well they managed for 40 odd years am sure they will manage without us for few more years.
I dont beleive all you heartless people! If it was happening to one of you you'd all be hoping the Embassy were helping your sorry ****! Just look at what the 'law' is doing to the poor people of Burmah, stopping them live is what it's doing! Yes he should have watched himself and maybe been a bit more careful until she was legally separated but these things happen. It was obvious from the outset what the ex-husband had planned, and if he's the one that filed for an annullment for committing adultery himself, i dont see how he has any power to do this to a man of our town!And Malkym you are the worst, why shouldnt the council provide a home for a couple who obviously want to get on with their lives, rather than the chavs they insist on housing who have baby after baby to get more benefits, then spend their lives dumping them on their mums so they can go out and get wasted! You should be ashamed of yourselves, the whole lot of you!
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
4:31pm Fri 9 May 08
Flamer wrote:FAB POST!
I dont beleive all you heartless people! If it was happening to one of you you'd all be hoping the Embassy were helping your sorry ****! Just look at what the 'law' is doing to the poor people of Burmah, stopping them live is what it's doing! Yes he should have watched himself and maybe been a bit more careful until she was legally separated but these things happen. It was obvious from the outset what the ex-husband had planned, and if he's the one that filed for an annullment for committing adultery himself, i dont see how he has any power to do this to a man of our town!And Malkym you are the worst, why shouldnt the council provide a home for a couple who obviously want to get on with their lives, rather than the chavs they insist on housing who have baby after baby to get more benefits, then spend their lives dumping them on their mums so they can go out and get wasted! You should be ashamed of yourselves, the whole lot of you!
LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
4:44pm Fri 9 May 08
quote
I dont beleive all you heartless people! If it was happening to one of you you'd all be hoping the Embassy were helping your sorry ****!
Just look at what the 'law' is doing to the poor people of Burmah, stopping them live is what it's doing!
Yes he should have watched himself and maybe been a bit more careful until she was legally separated but these things happen.
It was obvious from the outset what the ex-husband had planned, and if he's the one that filed for an annullment for committing adultery himself, i dont see how he has any power to do this to a man of our town!
You should be ashamed of yourselves, the whole lot of you!
Flamer, Swindon says...
4:45pm Fri 9 May 08
Flamer, Swindon says...
4:54pm Fri 9 May 08
Grumpy, Swindon says...
6:02pm Fri 9 May 08
Flamer wrote:Well, I agree with LordB as well and I suspect most people who post here regularly agree with him.
LordB, you cant seriously expect me to believe that if you were in the same situation, totally in love and with a newborn child, that you would not expect any help what so ever and take full responsibility for your actions? Thats total BS. And i rather see my taxes going to help these folk than pay for some scav that cant keep her legs closed to still have babies and provide for her children through the social til their 18! Het a grip mate, you wouldnt be saying what you're saying now if it was you that faced 7 years in jail! Idiot!!
vigil, swindon says...
7:39pm Fri 9 May 08
malkym wrote:
I would especially like to thank my relatives and friends in Swindon, and the support of the local newspaper and MPs." The dynamic duo feature once again!! Should have kept it in your trousers son! - still never mind - we'll pay to repatriate you all - you marry her - she gets - British passport and citizenship - oh says SBC -you have a baby - have a council house on us then - there you go easy - job done! Oh - benefits cheque - lets see - what we can do dole, tax credits, family allowance, council tax rebate,etc! So as David Essex sang - "with your love light shinin', every clouds got a, silver lining" -
have a council house on us then - there you go easy - job done! Oh - benefits cheque - lets see - what we can do dole, tax credits, family allowance, council tax rebate,etc!
Terence, Swindon says...
7:57pm Fri 9 May 08
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
8:39pm Fri 9 May 08
jack the rippler, east 17 says...
11:15pm Fri 9 May 08
Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon says...
9:14am Sat 10 May 08
Mick out West, West Swindon says...
10:50am Sat 10 May 08
Robert Feal-Martinez wrote:I don't always agree with you Robert, but you are spot on in this case.
Mumstheword, well said, why is it some on these threads cannot post without insult. There really is no need for it. Express your view by all means, but insult others. My view as stated, is they broke the laws in another country, our Government should not repatriate them until the legal process has been fulfilled, in the Philippines.
steve-o, Swindon says...
12:37pm Sat 10 May 08
Captain Sensible, Near Swindon says...
7:30pm Sat 10 May 08
malkym, says...
5:02pm Wed 14 May 08
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LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
11:57am Fri 9 May 08
Just because people aren't normally punished, doesn't make it okay for you as a visitor to do it.
You'd've saved yourself all this trouble if you'd kept it in your trousers.