MANILA, Philippines - "The VFA did this."
This was the caption next to the photos of transgender Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude released for the first time to media by the victim's family. The photo shows the body of the transgender in a hotel room in Olongapo City last October 11.
In a press conference at the University of the Philippines on Tuesday, lawyer Harry Roque said they showed the photos to the media to show the gravity of the crime.
"This is a very grotesque picture but the family decided to go public with the picture in order that the nation will understand not just the grief that they hey been feeling but the sense of anger over the injustice," Roque said.
One photo shows Laude's head, face down on the toilet bowl and the second image shows the victim's face.
Roque blames the lack of progress in the case to the US-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which he said has prevented Philippine authorities from probing Pemberton and collecting evidence.
He also lamented that the bilateral agreement allowed the crime to occur by bringing in American troops such as suspect Marine Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton to Philippine soil.
"Yung VFA po ang dahilan na wala kaming basic na ebidensya," Roque said, adding that this was the first case he encountered covered by the VFA that the suspects' fingerprints have not been taken.
"The VFA that is the reason why we have not even conducted any police investigation on Mr. Pemberton. [He] has not been subjected to any questioning of the Philippine National Police in connection with this murder," the lawyer added.
Asked whether he remains optimistic that the two governments will bend the VFA to uncover the truth, Roque admitted he did not expect the unfortunate turn of events where the victim's family themselves are being humiliated.
"Malabo po, malabo ... It is beyond my worst imagination," he said.