US didn't ask Duterte to pardon Pemberton, says Locsin

The United States did not ask President Rodrigo Duterte to pardon US Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, who was convicted for homicide six years ago in connection with his killing of Filipino transgender woman Jennifer Laude.

In a text message to GMA News' JP Soriano, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Boy Locsin said US Ambassador Sung Kim was surprised by the "absolute pardon" granted to the US Marine.

Locsin said paperwork related to the pardon of Pemberton and his possible release will be done tonight.

Locsin is the chairperson of Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces, the government body which oversees the presence of US military forces in the Philippines in connection with joint exercises. -NB, GMA News