Convicted killer US Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton will face court martial proceedings in the United States despite the pardon granted to him by President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
Former legal counsel to the Laude camp and Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed that the proceeding has been assured by the US authorities. This will determine if Pemberton will face additional sanctions in his home country and if he will be allowed to return to service after being convicted of the killing of Filipino transgender woman Jennifer Laude.
Meanwhile, Roque responded to the allegation of Julita Laude that President Duterte failed to fulfill his promise to keep Pemberton locked up in jail while he is the country’s President.
“Ang alam ko po, walang ganiyang promise ang Presidente. Ang pangako po ni Presidente ay bibigyan ng katarungan ang pagkamatay ni Jennifer Laude, at nakulong naman po si Pemberton nang halos anim na taon (What I know is the President did not promise anything like that. His promise is to give justice for the death of Jennifer Laude, and Pemberton was imprisoned for almost 6 years),” Roque explained.
“I can confirm the President gave them financial aid, three times. Pero iyong halaga bahala na po ang—huwag na nating isapubliko dahil ayaw ngang ilabas sana ni Presidente iyong tulong niya sa Laude family (As for the worth, I cannot disclose the amount since the President does not want to let it be known that he helped the Laude family),” Roque added. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
