Cops, barricades secure Olongapo Hall of Justice for Pemberton prelim probe

Published October 21, 2014 8:57am

Barricades and uniformed police personnel secured the Olongapo City Hall of Justice for the preliminary investigation of US Marine Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton over the killing of transgender woman Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude.

Photos tweeted by radio dzBB's Allan Gatus showed security guards stationed at the entrance to the Hall of Justice.

Uniformed police personnel and yellow-and-black metal barricades were also positioned near the area.

Paligid ng Justice Hall, bantay-sarado ng mga pulis para sa pagdinig sa reklamo kay PFC Pemberton. | via @allangatus pic.twitter.com/cneDTOfWj1

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) October 21, 2014

Meanwhile, "No Entry" barricades and "Do not approach" signage were placed at the area leading to the USS Peleliu, where Pemberton is detailed.

Daan patungo sa USS Peleliu, napapalibutan ng harang at babala sa mga nais na lumapit. | via @allangatus pic.twitter.com/1qPhVeOysQ

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) October 20, 2014

Pemberton is to undergo preliminary investigation Tuesday afternoon for the killing of Laude.

On Monday, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the Olongapo City prosecutor will insist on Pemberton's personal appearance.

De Lima said this aims to show there is no special treatment.

On Sunday, the US Embassy said it will leave it to Pemberton whether to appear before the Olongapo City Prosecutor's Office for his preliminary investigation Tuesday.

"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.

On the other hand, it said the witnesses will not appear on Tuesday, "as they have already met their current legal obligations."

The embassy added, however, that in accordance with the Visiting Forces Agreement, the witnesses will be made available for the trial. — Joel Locsin/RSJ, GMA News

Tags: jenniferlaude, jeffreylaude, josephscottpemberton