MANILA, Philippines - The lead counsel of the family of slain transgender Jennifer Laude will file a complaint against Armed Forces of the Philippines officials this afternoon.
Lawyer Harry Roque will file before the Supreme Court around 1 p.m. contempt charges against AFP chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang and his spokesperson Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc.
The AFP earlier filed a disbarment case against Roque for the incident inside Camp Aguinaldo where US Marine Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton, the principal suspect in the killing of Laude, is detained.
During that incident, Roque, along with the victim's family members and Laude's German fiance Marc Sueselbeck, went to the AFP headquarters to confront Pemberton.
Prevented by soldiers to enter the premises, Sueselbeck and Laude's sister, Marilou, climbed fence surrounding the facility where Pemberton is being held.
Roque said he will also filed graft and administrative charges against the AFP officials for allowing Pemberton to remain in US custody.
"Contempt muna sa Supreme Court to highlight civilian supremacy," Roque said.
Roque maintained that Philippine government should have custody over Pemberton based on the provision of the Visiting Forces Agreement with the US.
He said that under the VFA, the Philippines should have primary jurisdiction over non-service related offenses committed by American servicemen.