Jennifer Laude’s mother cries for justice, demands that suspect attend hearing

The mother of slain transgender woman Jennifer Laude on Sunday demanded that the United States government bring forward US soldier Joseph Scott Pemberton, the man suspected of killing her child.

“Lumabas siya, magpakita siya, humarap. Gusto kong makita siya, kung anong klase siyang tao,” Julita Laude said in a report on GMA's Balitanghali.



The Laude family expressed hope that Pemberton will personally appear before the Olongapo City Prosecutor’s office on Tuesday for the case’s preliminary hearing. However, the US Embassy made it clear that they will leave it to Pemberton to decide whether to do so or not.

In a statement, the embassy said the US continues to fully cooperate and collaborate with Philippine authorities in all aspects of the case.

"Whether the suspect will appear on Tuesday is a decision that he will make in consultation with his Philippine legal counsel, in accordance with Philippine law. We refer you to his counsel for details," it said.

The Laude family's legal counsel Virgie Suarez said that Pemberton’s presence or absence at the hearing on Tuesday will show how much the US government respects the Philippines.

“Hopefully Pemberton will be there. If indeed the Philippines is being treated as equal sovereign, otherwise wala talaga,” Suarez said.

Laude was found lifeless in an Olongapo motel on the night of October 11, an hour after she checked in with Pemberton.

Jennifer’s sister Marilou Laude said her entire family will work tirelessly to achieve justice.

“[Di kami titigil] hanggang sa makuha namin ang katarungan, makuha namin ang justice para sa kapatid namin,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has tightened security in the area, following protests that sparked after Laude’s murder. According to the same report, the gate for pedestrians was temporarily closed Sunday, but was opened again later in the day. — Patricia Denise Chiu/BM, GMA News