Kustodiya kay Pemberton igigiit ng Palasyo

IGIGIIT ng Palasyo ang karapatan ng Filipinas sa kustodiya kay Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton na akusado sa pagpatay kay Filipina transgender Jennifer Laude.

Sinabi ni Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda, bagama’t naninindigan ang Malacañang na dapat nasa Filipinas ang hurisdiksyon kay Pemberton ay kailangan pa rin itong dumaan sa proseso alinsunod sa Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

“We have to follow the process right now. There was a warrant of arrest that was issued by the court and so, as a matter of procedure, we have to enforce the warrant. We have formally seek custody of Mr. Pemberton but we have to go through the process within the purview of the Visiting Forces Agreement,” ani Lacierda.

Aniya, bagama’t nakapiit si Pemberton sa isang container van sa loob ng Mutual Defense Board Security Engagement Facility sa Camp Aguinaldo, itinuturing itong US territory kaya’t kailangan pa ring hilingin ng gobyernong Aquino na ilipat siya sa piitan ng Filipinas.

“Remember the custody was not turned over when he was housed in that container. That is… According to Usec. Justiniano that is considered US territory as far as that… They never turned over custody to us. So that’s why we are now seeking formal custody within the purview of the VFA,” dagdag pa ni Lacierda.

Rose Novenario

Arrest warrant isinilbi ng DFA sa US Embassy

NAIHAIN na ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) sa US Embassy ang kopya ng warrant of arrest laban kay US Marine Private Marine First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton.

Kaugnay ito ng kasong murder na isinampa laban sa US serviceman dahil sa pagpaslang sa transgender na si Jeffrey Laude o Jennifer noong Oktubre 11.

Nakaabang na ang DFA sa magiging tugon ng US Embassy ukol dito.

Ayon kay DFA Spokesperson Charles Jose, bukod sa kopya ng warrant of arrest ay kalakip din ang demand na makuha na ang kustodiya sa akusadong sundalo.

Habang sinabi ni National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, dapat unawain ang proseso, sa ilalim ng Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), sa pagsisilbi ng arrest warrant kay Pemberton at hindi ito dapat minamadali.