MANILA, Philippines - Muntinlupa City Rep. Rodolfo Biazon said on Tuesday that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) should ask for copies of affidavits executed by four US marine witnesses in connection with the killing of Filipino transgender Jennifer Laude in Olonga City.
Biazon, chairperson of the House of Representatives' Committee on National Defense and Security, urged the DFA to coordinate with the US government to acquire copies of the affidavits of the four US marine witnesses who have left the country.
READ: 4 US witnesses in Olongapo slay leave Philippines
"We need to know because the contents of those affidavits may give us a better insight into the whole issue," Biazon said.
The lawmaker noted that the statements of the four American witnesses may either be for the prosecution or for the defense of the suspect, Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton.
On the issue of custody, Biazon said that the resolution is in the hands of the Department of Justice.
"I go back to my initial statement that treaties form part of laws of the land and therefore the resolution of the issue of custody of Mr. Pemberton was being in accordance with the interpretations of both the domestic laws and the treaties," Biazon said.
The lawmaker said that the DFA only serves as a channel to transmit to the US government the resolution of the DOJ on the issue of custody.
Meanwhile, Biazon said he believes US Ambassador Philip Goldberg's statement that "justice will be served" on the Olongapo slay case, noting that Pemberton is still in the country and is available whenever required for investigation.
The lawmaker said that the four US marine witnesses have done their part in the preliminary investigation by submitting an affidavit, adding that the case should not be a reason to abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
"The role of the VFA is only for it to be examined by our legal minds... when you consider that last resort which is abrogation of the treaty you have to consider it in relation to larger concerns for the country," Biazon said.
Biazon co-authored the VFA when he was still a senator.
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