MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III denied on Wednesday that the Philippine government is giving special treatment to US Marine Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton.
"He is not treated with kid gloves," Aquino said of Pemberton at the Presidential Forum of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines.
Pemberton, the suspect in the killing of Filipino transgender Jennifer Laude, was transferred today to a detention facility at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
Aquino said Pemberton is actually getting "special negative treatment in effect" since he is already detained even if the preliminary probe on the case has just started.
The President pointed out that if the suspect is Filipino, he would not be detained at this stage of the case.
"He is not even given that privilege" Aquino said.
"He is getting a treatment that is less than that afforded by our system to a Filipino accused of a similar crime. And then you come up and tell me he's getting a better treatment? I think it's a worse treatment," he also said.
Some sectors have criticized the government's treatment of Pemberton including Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, who earlier presided over a Senate hearing on Laude's slay.
"He arrived by helicopter, protected from accusing eyes. He is detained in an air-conditioned facility. Outside his door are American guards. Outside the facility are Philippine soldiers. The mere physical arrangement indicates that he is being guarded against his Filipino critics," she said.
Santiago said the security arrangement is "offensive" since it shows Pemberton receiving VIP treatment, "owing to the US' desire to quell howls for Philippine custody over the marine."