Call of US what it wants to do with Pemberton, says Palace

September 17, 2020

Malacañang said on Thursday it is the United States' call whatever it wants to do with US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, who was deported after President Rodrigo Duterte granted him absolute pardon.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the statement following reports that Pemberton would not face court martial proceedings for the second time for the same crime after he was convicted in the Philippines for the killing of transgender woman Jennifer Laude in 2014.

But the US serviceman reportedly would be processed for administrative discharge.

"That’s a decision of the US government. Although I take note that they have said that he will be processed for administrative discharge. Meaning, he will be fired as a marine," Roque said.

Roque, who acted as Laude family's legal counsel when he was still in private practice, earlier said that during Pemberton's pre-trial conference, the American authorities promised that he would undergo court martial once he is released. Celerina Monte/DMS