'Jennifer's case has ended. But not the poverty and struggle borne by the administration's incompetence,' says Laude family lawyer Virgie Suarez
The lawyer of slain transgender woman Jennifer Laude said their camp is hoping her convicted killer, US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton, has learned the value of life "regardless of gender and nationality."
Lawyer Virgie Suarez made the statement on Sunday, September 13, after Pemberton's plane flew out of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport en route to the US, completing his deportation process.
"May he find peace of mind. Hoping he has learned from all these the value of life and dignity regardless of gender and nationality," Suarez said.
But Laude's lawyer also had scathing words for President Rodrigo Duterte, who granted Pemberton an absolute pardon despite giving financial support to the Laude family in the wake of Laude's murder.
"Jennifer's case has ended. But not the poverty and struggle borne by the administration's incompetence to curb COVID-19 and corruption that continue to plague our nation," Suarez said.
MUST READ
Duterte vowed to keep Pemberton detained during his presidency, says Jennifer Laude's mom
Lawyer Virgie Suarez made the statement on Sunday, September 13, after Pemberton's plane flew out of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport en route to the US, completing his deportation process.
"May he find peace of mind. Hoping he has learned from all these the value of life and dignity regardless of gender and nationality," Suarez said.
But Laude's lawyer also had scathing words for President Rodrigo Duterte, who granted Pemberton an absolute pardon despite giving financial support to the Laude family in the wake of Laude's murder.
"Jennifer's case has ended. But not the poverty and struggle borne by the administration's incompetence to curb COVID-19 and corruption that continue to plague our nation," Suarez said.
MUST READ
Duterte vowed to keep Pemberton detained during his presidency, says Jennifer Laude's mom
After spending 6 years in detention at a special facility inside the Philippine military headquarters, Pemberton is now a free man after he was officially deported at 9:14 am on Sunday.
He has been blacklisted in the Philippines on account of his homicide conviction.
Pemberton – who was part of an American team that joined military exercises with Filipino troops – had initially been sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2015 over the killing of Laude in 2014.
The US soldier was about to have sex with Laude at a motel in Olongapo City, but he was enraged after discovering that she had male genitals. Pemberton then choked Laude, arm-locked her, and dunked her head in the toilet bowl of their motel room.
(READ: Remembering 'Ganda': The tragedy of Jennifer Laude)
Six years later, Pemberton got a court victory after an Olongapo City judge ruled to free him 4 years earlier than his scheduled release due to his Good Conduct Time Allowance credits.
The Laudes, as well as the Department of Justice and the Office of the Solicitor General, appealed the court ruling.
But on the first day of hearing the appeals on September 7, Duterte stepped in and cut the process short by giving Pemberton absolute pardon, which cannot be appealed.
It's a shocking move from a President who has portrayed himself a stern critic of the West, especially the US whom he accused of meddling in his bloody war against drugs.
Duterte has since faced widespread condemnation for pardoning Pemberton, with Filipino lawmakers calling him an "American lackey" and tagging his decision as an "affront to the Filipino people."
https://rappler.com/nation/jennifer-laude-camp-statement-pemberton-departure
Six years later, Pemberton got a court victory after an Olongapo City judge ruled to free him 4 years earlier than his scheduled release due to his Good Conduct Time Allowance credits.
The Laudes, as well as the Department of Justice and the Office of the Solicitor General, appealed the court ruling.
But on the first day of hearing the appeals on September 7, Duterte stepped in and cut the process short by giving Pemberton absolute pardon, which cannot be appealed.
It's a shocking move from a President who has portrayed himself a stern critic of the West, especially the US whom he accused of meddling in his bloody war against drugs.
Duterte has since faced widespread condemnation for pardoning Pemberton, with Filipino lawmakers calling him an "American lackey" and tagging his decision as an "affront to the Filipino people."
https://rappler.com/nation/jennifer-laude-camp-statement-pemberton-departure
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.