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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Palace denies Duterte promised to keep Pemberton in jail

Palace denies Duterte promised to keep Pemberton in jail

Published Sep 14, 2020 03:41 pm

Malacañang denied that President Duterte promised the family of slain transwoman Jennifer Laude that he will keep her killer US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton in jail.

This handout photo taken and released by the Philippine Bureau of Immigration on September 13, 2020 shows US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton (C), who was convicted of killing a transgender woman and recently pardoned by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, escorted by immigration officers and US personnel as he arrives at the airport in Manila. (Photo by Handout / PHILIPPINE BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION / AFP / MANILA BULLETIN)

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after Jennifer's mother Julita claimed last week that Duterte broke his promise that Pemberton will not be released from jail as long as he is president.

Roque, who also served as the lawyer of the Laude family, said it was impossible for Duterte to make such a promise because he never met them.

"Ang alam ko po, walang ganyang promise ang Presidente. Ang pangako po ni Presidente, bibigyan ng katarungan ang pagkamatay ni (From what I know, the President didn't make such a promise. What he promised was to give justice to) Jennifer Laude," he said.

"Nakulong naman po si Pemberton ng halos anim na taon (Pemberton was in jail for almost six years)," he added.

Roque confirmed that Duterte extended financial assistance to the Laude family three times since the killing of Jennifer.

"I can confirm, the President gave them financial aid three times pero 'yung halaga, bahala na po (but regarding the amount, let's just leave it at that)," he said.

"'Wag na po natin isapubliko dahil ayaw ngang ilabas sana ni Presidente ang tulong niya sa Laude family (Let's not make this public anymore because the President didn't really want the public to know about it)," he added.

Roque said that Pemberton will still undergo court-martial in the United States even though he was pardoned by Duterte. He said this was promised by US authorities and representatives of the US Marine Corps.

"Ang pangako po nila, kung makakalabas si Pemberton, ibig sabihin matatapos lang ang proseso sa Pilipinas pero pag-uwi po ni Pemberton, tuloy pa rin ang kanyang court-martial proceedings (What they promised was in case Pemberton gets released, that only ends the procedure in the Philippines. When he gets home, he will still undergo court-martial proceedings)," he said.

"Doon po malalaman kung meron pang additional na parusang ipapataw sa kanya, at ang kanya pong (It will be determined there if there should be additional sanctions and his) qualification to remain in service," he added.

Pemberton left the country on Sunday after being pardoned by Duterte. According to Roque, the pardon does not erase the fact that Pemberton is a murderer, the reason why he was deported by the country as an undesirable alien.

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