Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director-General Geraldo Bantag has signed the release order of US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton.
The BuCor received the copy of the written order on the absolute pardon granted by President Rodrigo R. Duterte to Pemberton at 10:20 AM Thursday. The bureau processed the American soldier’s release and is coordinating with other concerned agencies on the matter.
However, Pemberton is required to submit a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance as proof that he is facing no other charges in the country before he is permitted to leave. But the Bureau has yet to receive requests from the BI or BuCor to conduct the required record check.
Meanwhile, in a text message, Pemberton’s legal counsel, Atty. Rowena Flores, stated that he might not be released today, September 10, 2020 due to the procedures he still has to undergo with the BI.
Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra disclosed that “the whole process of official release and deportation can be completed by the weekend but the date of Pemberton’s actual exit from the country depends on his flight arrangement, considering that he is a military personnel of the US.”
While there is still no exact date on his departure, Pemberton’s camp initially stated that he will be picked up by his superiors from the United States through a military plane. He will be transferred from Camp Aguinaldo to the custody of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) due to his deportation order. He shall be escorted until he boards the plane to ensure that he leaves the Philippines. – Report from Bea Bernardo
