The Bureau of Immigration confirmed that US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton is now in its custody after he was released by the Bureau of Corrections today.
BI deputy spokesperson Melvin Mabulac said Pemberton is being guarded by personnel from the BI intelligence division where the pardoned American convict was turned to over by BuCor personnel.
The turnover at 11:52 a.m. was witnessed by his lawyer Rowena Garcia Flores and BuCor officials.
Pemberton is still being held in his facility inside Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City where he will remain until he is deported and flown out of the country, Mabulac said.
Mabulac disclosed that Pemberton is undergoing documentation procedures required to implement the deportation order that was issued against him by the BI five years ago.
There is still no word from the BI or Department of Justice when Pemberton would depart or if the arrangements for his flight have been finalized.
One of Pemberton's lawyers said during a radio interview that authorities are still awaiting the results of the COVID-19 swab test on their client and release of the clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
BI personnel are expected to escort Pemberton to the airport and turn him over to US Embassy representatives prior to boarding his aircraft.
Pemberton was convicted in 2015 for killing a Filipino transgender in 2014.