The Bureau of Immigration has taken custody of Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton after the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) turned him over on Friday morning.
Although Pemberton is now under BI’s watch, he is still staying at the extended facility of the BuCor inside Camp Aguinaldo. His guards were only replaced by BI personnel, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The actual date of release of Pemberton who has a standing deportation order in September 2015 has not yet been determined. BI Spokesperson Melvin Mabulac explained that procedures, including the acquisition of a clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), will have to be undertaken prior to Pemberton’s deportation.
Travel documents and his return ticket to the US must also be presented. Pemberton’s legal counsel Rowena Flores earlier disclosed that he will be picked up by a US military plane. She added that he is unlikely to be released today pending his requirements and swab test result.
“‘’Pag nakumpleto po ‘yan, that would be the time nai-implement na po natin ‘yung deportation order at ihahatid po to ensure natin na kung ano yung naka-stipulate doon sa ticket, ayon po ang sasakyan niya (If all requirements are competed, that would be the time we will implement the deportation order and we will escort him to ensure that he will be transported according to what is stipulated in his ticket),” Mabulac elucidated.
The BI clarified that Pemberton will no longer be able to return to the Philippines once he leaves.
“Ang pardon na ibinigay ng Pangulo ay hindi naman pardon na magsasabi na wala na, hindi na siya convict o wala na siyang kasalanan (The pardon granted by the President does not state that he is cleared of his crime),” Mabulac said. – Report from Bea Bernardo
