Laude relatives see Pemberton for first time

MANILA, Philippines - The sister of transgender Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude, who was allegedly killed by US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton, felt mixed emotions upon seeing the suspect during the arraignment of the murder case on Friday.

"Mixed emotions, natatakot, nagagalit, kung pwedeng lapitan ko siya, tanungin. Kung pwede iuntog ko siya sa pader kaya lang hindi ko naman pwedeng gawin kasi napakadaming NCIS na naka-body sa kanya," Marilou Laude said during an ambush interview.

Pemberton, heavily guarded by soldiers and policemen, arrived at the Olongapo City Hall of Justice early  Friday.

READ: Pemberton makes first court appearance in Olongapo

Marilou told the press that they were able to take pictures of Pemberton inside the court but their cell phones were confiscated.

"At least nakita ko na siya na personal na andito pa siya... Isa lang ang gusto kong sabihin sa kanya bakit niya nagawang patayin yung kapatid ko samantalang yung mukha niya napaka-inosente," Marilou said.

Harry Roque, the Laude family's lawyer, said that Pemberton attending the hearing is already a victory for them. 

"Ngayon po ay 'victory number two' pero yung mas malaking isyu ngayon ang kustodiya, dahil ang kustodiya po ay hurisdiksyon, at ang hurisdiksyon ay soberanya," Roque said.

Roque noted that the court would be the body that would decide on the issue of custody and not the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

"Ang DFA hindi pwedeng magdikta sa korte, pwede lamang sila maghain ng manifestation pero ang korte pa rin ang mag-oorder dahil ang ating hukuman po ay isang independenteng sangay ng gobyerno. Pambabastos po yan sa ating hukuman para sa kahit anong iba pang ahensya ng ating gobyerno ang magdesisyon sa issue ng custody mula ngayon," Roque explained.

The issue on the suspect's custody will be resolved in the next days, Roque added.

Meanwhile, Pemberton’s camp filed a motion to suspend the proceedings on the murder case. The pleading will be decided on the next hearing on Monday.

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