Pemberton case not discussed in Obama-Noy meeting

NAYPYITAW, Myanmar – While they had an opportunity to meet and greet each other, President Aquino found it unnecessary to discuss the case of slain Filipino transgender Jeffrey Laude with US President Obama.

“Unless there is something really earth shattering and new, there is no need to talk about whatever matter. I won’t talk about what happened in Subic. That can be handled at the lower level,” Aquino told reporters in an interview at Horizon Lake View Resort here.

Aquino and Obama bumped into each other several times during the recently concluded Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Beijing – and both heads of state also attended the 25th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in this Myanmar capital.

Aquino recounted their meetings were short and were almost always “in passing” that took only a minute or two.

“There are consistent talks between themselves and our side,” Aquino stressed, saying there was no pressing concern to discuss anything with the US leader.

US Marine Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton is the principal suspect in the murder of Laude. He is facing murder charges at the Olongapo prosecutor’s office.

The American serviceman is now detained in a facility inside Camp Aguinaldo, but is secured by US authorities.

The incident triggered a call for the review of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US, citing the issue of custody of the suspect.

Malacañang, however, made clear last month that while there is a “constant review” of the VFA, this is merely a procedural matter that will not necessarily result in the amendment of the defense agreement.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. based his statement on the position taken by Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario who relayed such message to the Senate during a budget hearing in late October.

“Secretary Del Rosario also said at the DFA budget hearing in the Senate that the review is procedural and would not lead to any amendments to the VFA,” Coloma said.

Coloma also repeated Aquino’s pronouncements against the possible abrogation of the military pact in the light of the murder of Laude.

“While the government stands for the continuation of the VFA, the President has said that there is also a constant review of the agreement,” he said.

The same is true with the review being conducted by the Department of Justice, according to Coloma, noting what is under scrutiny are the implementing guidelines that will address “gaps in the agreement which lead to the differing or varying interpretations.”

Aquino told foreign correspondents last month he is against the abrogation of the VFA that forms an integral part of the Philippines’ national defense strategy for defending the country’s maritime boundaries and humanitarian missions.

“On the slaying of Laude, the government is exerting all efforts to ensure the ends of justice would be served,” Coloma said.