Court’s ruling on Pemberton won’t affect PHL, US relations – Drilon

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 2): Court’s ruling on Pemberton won’t affect PHL, US relations – Drilon

Senate President Franklin Drilon on Wednesday said the decision of the Olongapo Regional Trial Court (RTC) on the case of US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton won’t affect the bilateral and diplomatic relationship between the Philippines and the United States.

”I am confident that the decision will not in any way affect the bilateral and diplomatic relationship of the Philippines and the United States of the America,” Drilon said in a press statement.

Last Tuesday, the Olongapo RTC Branch 74 ruled that Pemberton was guilty of homicide for the killing of Filipino transgender woman Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude.

Pemberton is sentenced to minimum of six years to maximum of 12 years imprisonment.

Drilon is expecting the US to comply with and respect the decision, saying Pemberton “given equal opportunity to defend himself before a court of law.”

”The crime was committed by an individual through his own acts in Philippine territory. The country has to uphold and promote respect for the laws of our nation,” Drilon said.

Drilon said he fully support the court decision which is “based on applicable laws and jurisprudence, and according to what is just and right.”

”I also laud the Court’s ability to render its judgment within a reasonable time. Any further delay would have been prejudicial to both parties. Hence, I admire the Court for its perseverance, fairness, probity, and complete independence in handling the case,” he said.

On the place of detention, Drilon said Pemberton should be detained at the National Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.

”The place of detention should be cleared in the Visiting Forces Agreement. But for me, it should be Muntinlupa because he was already convicted and that’s the place of detention for convicted prisoners,” Drilon said in a radio interview.

Drilon said the Philippines and the US should agree where Pemberton should be detained based on the VFA.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV agreed with Drilon that the detention should be a joint decision by both countries as provided by the VFA.

”Now that Pemberton has been convicted, both the Philippines and the US should find prison or jail that will be agreed on by both parties. It’s not arbitrary decision,” Trillanes said during Wednesday’s Kapihan sa Manila Bay media forum at the Luneta Hotel.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=833680