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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Release of Pemberton questioned

Release of Pemberton questioned

Published Sep 3, 2020 10:29 am

Progressive groups have condemned the early release of United States Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton from prison on account of good behavior.

US Marine Joseph Pemberton (pictured) is standing trial for the murder of a transgender Filipina he met in a bar after taking part in military exercises in the Philippines (AFP Photo/Olongapo City Police / MANILA BULLETIN)

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Secretary General Renato Reyes Jr. lamented how Pemberton was released under the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) rule when it has been suspended by the Justice department.

“Six years. ’Yan lang pala ang halaga ng buhay ng isang Pilipino. Matapos ang anim na taon, papalayain na si Pemberton (That is only the worth of a Filipino life. After six years, Pemberton will be freed),” Reyes said.

”Hindi ba't suspendido ang pagbibigay ng GCTA ngayon? Paano naka-avail ng GCTA si Pemberton? (Isn’t it granting GCTA now suspended? How did Pemberton avail GCTA?)” he asked.

Human rights group Karapatan decried Pemberton’s release, saying it was a “travesty of justice” in the Philippines.

“Scores of activists, political dissenters, trade unionists, and rights defenders have been in jail for years on trumped up and malicious charges, and yet the Supreme Court has not decided on the humanitarian plea for the release of the sick, the elderly, and pregnant among them,” Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said in a statement.

Gabriela called the the court’s decision for the early release of Pemberton as “unjust and highly suspect.”

The Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 74 granted Pemberton’s plea for release after finding out he has served his jail time of 10 years, one month, and 10 days due to GCTA credits.

Pemberton was convicted of homicide in December 2015 for the 2014 killing of transgender Jennifer Laude and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was detained in a facility in Camp Aguinaldo because of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

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