The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said on Thursday that it has started processing the release of United States Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton.
According to BuCor Spokesman Gabriel Chaclag, they have received a copy of the absolute pardon granted to Pemberton from the Department of Justice (DOJ). BuCor has been conducting preparations for the release of Pemberton and was just waiting for the original copy of the pardon.
"BuCor is now in coordination with relevant agencies that are involved in the process," Chaclag said.
Chaclag earlier mentioned that they will expedite the release of Pemberton but will make no skips in the process. He also said there will be no special treatment for the convicted serviceman.
He added that the same process for pardons, paroles and releases will also apply with Pemberton. They will just be considering all implications of everything that they will do because Pemberton is covered by other agreements.
Pemberton, who was convicted of homicide in December 2015 for the killing of transgender Jennifer Laude, was granted absolute pardon by the President on Monday.
This came just days after the legal counsel of Laude's family, Atty. Virginia Lacsa Suarez filed a Motion for Reconsideration before the Ologapo City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 74 recalling the order to release Pemberton.
Suarez had argued that there was no reason that the court should reduce Pemberton's sentence by giving him good conduct time allowance (GCTA) credits.
BuCor then said that it will respect the court processes and will wait for the resolution of the filed motion consideration.
On Monday, Laude's family initially wanted to see Pemberton who is under the custody of BuCor at its extension facility in Camp Aguinaldo.
On the same day, Olongapo City RTC Branch 74 has ordered BuCor to update its computation to ensure that Pemberton can be released under the GCTA. Later that day, Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teddy Locsin tweeted that Pemberton was granted absolute pardon by the President.