Pemberton’s US guards won’t turn over convict —Laude lawyers

The lawyers of the family of Filipino transgender Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude on Tuesday said that the American guards of US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton weren't keen on handing him over to the Filipino authorities.

"Nagkakaroon po ng girian sa taas dahil sa aking pagkakaintindi, ayaw po pumayag ng mga Amerikanong guwardiya ngayon ni Pemberton na i-turn over sa PNP," Atty. Harry Roque said in a press conference after the reading of the decision.

"Hindi po malinaw kung ibibigay ng mga Amerikanong CIS sa mga Pilipinong PNP si Pemberton bagamat napakalinaw po ng order ni judge dahil hindi malinaw sa kasunduan kung saan made-detain si Pemberton, kinakailangan siya ay i-commit sa lalong mabilis na panahon," he added.

On Tuesday, the Olangapo City court found Pemberton guilty of homicide for the death of Laude in October 2014. The court said he is considered a national prisoner. He is to be temporarily detained in New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

"There are 11 na Amerikano doon sa taas... They are all now discussing dahil ayaw ngang i-give up si Pemberton dahil out policemen likewise are ready na dalhin na ngayon si Pemberton sa Bilibid. Kaya ngayon, medyo may kaguluhan doon," Atty. Virgie Suarez said.

"Sana magkaroon ng sapat na lakas ang PNP... para sundin ang desisyon ng korte," she added.

Back to Aguinaldo

GMA News Online is still trying to get the side of the US Embassy as regards the matter.

In a statement, the Department of Justice said Pemberton would be transported, under the guard of the Philippine National Police, to the main military headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo.

"He shall be received by personnel of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and immediately detained there until his appeal is decided with finality by our courts," said the DOJ.

The DOJ clarified that Pemberton may still be transferred to another detention facility "at some point, as provided under the Visiting Forces Agreement" between the Philippine and US governments.

The DOJ, however, assured the public that "in any case, his detention shall at all times be carried out within Philippine territory, under guard by and in line with existing regulations of the BuCor." —Trisha Macas/NB, GMA News