With arrest warrant, PHL to insist sole custody over Pemberton – De Lima

Published December 16, 2014 5:19pm

Now that formal charges have been filed in connection with the killing of Filipina transgender Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude, the Philippine government would be moving to gain sole custody over murder suspect US Marine Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Tuesday.

"The Philippines will now insist on the custody [of Pemberton]. Lalo na kung a warrant of arrest is issued," De Lima said.

An arrest warrant was issued against Pemberton Tuesday afternoon.

De Lima also said authorities now have to determine were to transfer Pemberton from his current detention cell inside Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

On Monday, the Olongapo City Prosecutor's Office filed a murder case against the US Marine before the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 74.

In their resolution, the prosecutors said the crime was qualified as murder because there was treachery, abuse of superior strength, and cruelty.

Pemberton was earlier transferred from the US Navy ship USS Peleliu docked in Subic to a detention facility at the Philippine military headquarters.

The US Embassy in Manila maintained Pemberton is still under US custody despite being detained in a Philippine facility.

Laude, 26, was found dead inside a lodge in Olongapo City in October this year. Laude was last seen with Pemberton whom she reportedly met at a bar.

Last October, De Lima had said that the Philippines could insist on having custody over Pemberton despite a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) provision giving the US government immediate custody, upon request, over its personnel implicated in a crime committed in the country.

"[The] Philippine government has also the discretion to insist further on his continued custody by citing compelling reasons," De Lima said. — Mark Merueñas/RSJ, GMA News

Tags: josephscottpemberton, jeffreylaude, jenniferlaude