Julita, Jennifer Laude's mother, breaks down during a press conference minutes after the court read the ruling on December 1, 2015.
Judge Roline M. Ginez-Jabalde of Olongapo Regional Trial Court Branch 74 convicted on Tuesday (December 1) U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton of homicide in the killing of Filipino transgender woman Jennifer Laude, but her family was dismayed over the court's decision.
Laude's mother, Julita, said that she is not content that Pemberton was only sentenced to six to 12 years of imprisonment.
"Hindi ako kuyntento sinabi na anim na taon hanggang sampu. Ganunpaman, ang importante makukulong siya. Hindi masasayang ang ipinaglaban namin. Hindi masasayang ang buhay ng anak ko," she said during a press conference minutes after the court read the ruling.
[Translation: I am not content with the six to 10 years of imprisonment. But what's important is he will be jailed. Our efforts were not put to waste. The death of my child was not put to waste.]
Related: Joseph Scott Pemberton found guilty of homicide
Julita added that she fears that even if they put Pemberton behind bars today, it may not last for long.
"Baka isang araw lang o dalawang araw, makita yang si Pemberton nagsshopping sa U.S. kapag hindi siya nasurrender," she said.
Jennifer's sister, Marilou, echoed her mother's stance on the judge's ruling.
"Natapos na ang laban pero parang hindi pa totally tapos. Hindi kami kuntento sa binigay na hatol. Ang habol namin murder, pero bakit naging homicide?" said Marilou.
[Translation: The fight is over but we are not content with the ruling. We wanted him charged for murder, but why was he charged with homicide?]
Even though they are not content with the decision, the family and their counsel still find solace in the judge's ruling that Pemberton will be detained temporarily in the New Bilibid Prison.
"Sa ngayon napakahirap na, bakit mas nilalamang pa rin ang taga ibang bansa. Ang U.S. kaysa Pilipino. Mas pinapanigan pa rin," added Malou.
"This is not a complete justice, but we have to recognize that there is victory here," said Atty. Virgie Suarez, the family's lawyer.
Suarez commended Judge Ginez-Jabalde for the ruling that Pemberton be jailed in the national prison.
The family said that all they want as of now is to see Pemberton enter the gates of the New Bilibid Prison.
http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2015/12/01/U.S.-Marine-Joseph-Scott-Pemberton-homicide-Filipino-transgender-woman-Jennifer-Laude-family.html
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