From InterAksyon (Dec 16): DOJ to push for custody of Pemberton
The Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Tuesday that the Philippine government will insist on having custody of Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton, the US serviceman charged before the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court (RTC) for the murder of transgender Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude last October.
DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima said, though, she is not privy to the discussions on the issue, since the lead agency in the litigation is the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), but she said it is imperative that Pemberton should be in Philippine custody since the case is already with the trial court.
De Lima said that there is also a need for Pemberton to be presented to the RTC once it issues a warrant for his arrest, which she said could be expected soon.
"The Philippines will insist on custody, now that the information is filed in court, especially once the arrest warrant is issued," De Lima said.
At present, Pemberton is under joint custody of Philippine and US authorities.
The US earlier pointed out that they have custody over their serviceman even if, at present, he is being held in a facility inside the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Headquarters compound at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
De Lima explained that the joint custody status of Pemberton was agreed upon so that he would be available for the conduct of the preliminary investigation of the case, which ended with the filing before the Olongapo RTC on Monday.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/101291/doj-to-push-for-custody-of-pemberton
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