BY JUN RAMIREZ
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed that convicted US Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton is now in its custody after the latter was released by the Bureau of Correction (BuCoR).
BI Deputy Spokesperson Melvin Mabulac said Pemberton is being guarded by personnel from the bureau’s intelligence division to whom the pardoned American convict was turned over by BuCor personnel.
Pemberton was still being held at his facility inside Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City where he will remain until he is deported and flown out of the country, Mabulac said.
At press time, Mabulac disclosed that Pemberton is undergoing documentation procedures required to implement the deportation order that was issued against him by the BI five years ago.
There was still no word from the BI or Department of Justice when Pemberton would depart or if the arrangements for his flight were already finalized.
One of Pemberton’s lawyers said during a radio interview that authorities are still awaiting the results of the COVID swab test on Pemberton and release of the clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
BI personnel are expected to escort Pemberton to the airport and turn him over to US embassy representatives prior to boarding his aircraft.(Jun Ramirez)
