A Catholic priest said the granting of absolute pardon to US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton should also be replicated to other inmates who are more deserving.
"The court order for early release and then subsequently an absolute pardon by President Duterte is yet another instance of an unfair justice system under this current administration," Father Silvino Borres of the Coalition Against Death Penalty said on Tuesday.
He expressed hope that President Duterte will grant pardon to other inmates who are more deserving.
"We are hoping he would extend the same benevolence to thousand other inmates who are more deserving than Pemberton," Borres said.
Retired Novaliches Bishop Teodoro Bacani is hoping that the President will also be as kind to Filipinos.
"I hope the president will be as kind to us Filipinos, especially the erring ones like drug addicts, his critics, and activists," he said.
Still, Bacani believes it was a "good decision," as it will give the marine another chance in life.
"I hope he makes good use of this opportunity," he said.
The decision, however, dismayed retired Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes.
"It is strange that Duterte gave that pardon! I would have wished that Pemberton would serve some time in prison in reparation for his crime of murder!" he said
"We must show to the world that the life of every Filipino must be respected!" added Bastes.
On Monday, President Duterte granted absolute pardon to Pemberton, who was convicted for the killing of Filipina transgender “Jennifer” Laude in 2014.