Duterte told us to keep fight for justice, says Jennifer Laude's sis

The sister of Jennifer Laude on Tuesday said President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to support their family in their legal battle against American soldier Joseph Scott Pemberton, who killed the transgender Filipina in 2014.

According to Ian Cruz’ report on “24 Oras,” the Laude family was shocked by Duterte’s decision to grant absolute pardon to Pemberton on Monday.

Jennifer’s sister Michelle recalled that Duterte previously relayed his support to the Laudes through Harry Roque, the family’s former counsel and now presidential spokesman.

“Na-open niya kay mama na, ‘Kahit anong mangyari, ipaglaban niyo ‘yan. Nandito ako.’ Tapos in the end, ito na ‘yung nangyari,” said Jennifer's sister Michelle.

Duterte claimed that Pemberton was treated unfairly and deserved to be let go for his supposed good conduct, despite being only five years into his prison term of six to 10 years. 

“Nakaka-shock kasi parang hindi mo ine-expect kasi siya ‘yung dating tumutulong sa’min. At the end, ngayon, siya pa ‘yung nagbigay ng pardon para kay Pemberton,” Michelle said.

“Tapos nagulat pa talaga kami kasi nga as in siya pa talaga nagbigay, at the same time, ando’n pa si Atty. Roque na spokesperson niya. Siyempre, attorney namin ‘yun, lawyer namin ‘yun,” she added.

Roque earlier said that Jennifer’s killing personified "the death of Philippine sovereignty.” 

Meanwhile, the Laudes’ lawyer Virginia Suarez decried the presidential pardon of Pemberton, saying it was Jennifer who was unfairly treated and not the former US marine. -NB, GMA News