BY ARGYLL GEDUCOS
Deported US Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton will still undergo court martial proceedings in the United States even though he was pardoned by President Duterte, Malacanang bared Monday.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said a court martial trial for Pemberton was promised by US authorities and representatives of the US Marine Corps.
“Ang pangako po nila, kung makakalabas si Pemberton, ibig sabihin matatapos lang ang proseso sa Pilipinas pero pag-uwi po ni Pemberton, tuloy pa rin ang kanyang court-martial proceedings,” he said.
“Doon po malalaman kung meron pang additional na parusang ipapataw sa kanya, at ang kanya pong qualification to remain in service,” he added.
Pemberton, who was convicted of homicide for killing transgender Jennifer Laude in 2014, departed the country on Sunday after being pardoned by President Duterte on September 7.
According to Roque, the pardon does not erase the fact that Pemberton is a “murderer”, the reason why he was deported by the country as an “undesirable alien”.
NO DUTERTE PROMISE
Roque, however, denied that President Duterte promised the family of Laude that he will keep her killer Pemberton in jail.
Roque made the statement afterJulita Laude claimed last week that Duterte broke his promise that Pemberton will not be released from jail as long as he is president.
In his Monday presser, Roque, who also served as the lawyer of the Laude family, said it was impossible for President Duterte to make such a promise because he never met them.
“Ang alam ko po, walang ganyang promise ang Presidente. Ang pangako po ni Presidente, bibigyan ng katarungan ang pagkamatay ni Jennifer Laude,” he said.
“Nakulong naman po si Pemberton nang halos anim na taon,” he added.
Roque, however, confirmed that President Duterte extended financial assistance to the Laude family three times since the killing of Jennifer.
“I can confirm, the President gave them financial aid three times pero ‘yung halaga, bahala na po,” he said.
“‘Wag na po natin isapubliko dahil ayaw ngang ilabas sana ni Presidente ang tulong niya sa Laude family,” he added.
