Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque has strongly opposed the directive of the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court (RTC) to release US Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton who was convicted of killing transgender woman, Jennifer Laude.
The former private legal counsel of the Laude family said he believes the decision of the local court is not right. Pemberton should not be freed since the decision is not yet final and executory pending the resolution of a motion for reconsideration.
“It turns out na itong desisyon po ng hukuman ay labag po o contrary to the recommendation made by the Bureau of Corrections (It turns out that the decision of the court is violative of or contrary to the recommendation made by the Bureau of Corrections),” Roque pointed out.
“Iyong ginawa po ni judge na siya na ang nag desisyon kung paano siya bibigyan ng (The action of the judge who decided how to grant him) credit for good conduct credit for good conduct is an instance of judicial overreach,” Roque added.
While the personal opinion of President Rodrigo R .Duterte on the matter has yet to be obtained, Roque believes the matter will have an effect on the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and other treaties between the country and the US.
“Naipakita natin na under the VFA, kapag pumatay ang Amerikano ng Pilipino na parang hayop iyong Pilipino, limang taon lang ang pwedeng maging parusa na pagkakakulong. Hindi po dapat iyan. (It was shown that under the VFA, if an American kills a Filipino like an animal, the penalty only takes five years. This should not be),” he claimed.
“Napagpaliban lang po ang termination ng VFA for 6 months. At sa tingin ko naman dahil ang desisyon ni Presidente ay tapusin na itong VFA na ito, ito po ang tunay na pagbibigay ng katarungan kay Jennifer Laude (The VFA termination was only deferred for six months. I think, since the President’s decision is to abrogate the VFA, this will grant true justice for Jennifer Laude),” he added.
Meanwhile, Roque “vehemently” denied and labeled as a “lie” the allegation that he agreed to awarding parole to Pemberton in 2017 lest the Marine should have been released back then. – Report from Mela
