BuCor tells BI of Pemberton's release for deportation

The Bureau of Corrections has informed the Bureau of Immigration that it was turning over American homicide convict Joseph Scott Pemberton after the BuCor received a copy of President Rodrigo Duterte’s pardon of the former US marine.

According to Marisol Abdurahman’s report on “24 Oras” on Thursday, Pemberton will be turned over to BI immediately when he is released from BuCor custody.

In a letter addressed to BI Commissioner Jaime Morente, New Bilibid Prison North Acting Superintendent Joel Calvelo said there is “no other lawful cause to detain [Pemberton] further” after he was pardoned by Duterte over the 2014 killing of trans woman Jennifer Laude.

“The Documents section certifies that verification of authenticity of the copy of absolute pardon was made from the Office of the President and the same was found in order,” Calvelo said.

Spokesman Gabriel Chaclag earlier said that BuCor had already started processing Pemberton’s release.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra added that the American soldier’s release and deportation will likely be completed over coming weekend.

The Laude family’s lawyer Virginia Suarez earlier said that it was Jennifer who was unfairly treated and not Pemberton, contrary to Duterte’s claim in a televised briefing on Monday. -Julia Mari Ornedo/NB, GMA News