Laude kin not contented with homicide verdict vs Pemberton

MANILA, Philippines – After the Olongapo  Court’s ruling that US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton is guilty of homicide over transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude’s death, the victim’s family expressed discontentment over the ruling.

One of Jennifer’s sisters, Malou Laude, expressed dismay over the court ruling as she said their camp is expecting a murder decision and not homicide.

“Sa ngayon po natapos na po ang laban pero parang hindi pa po totally tapos kasi hindi po kami parang kuntento dun sa binigay na hatol or decision laban kay Pemberton, kasi unang-una ay habol po namin dun is murder pero bakit naging homicide po yung hatol?” Malou said.

“Pampalubag loob na lang po sana e 'yung  hinatol ni judge na dadalhin agad sa New Bilibid Prison si Pemberton kahit 'yun na lang po ay matatanggap namin,” she added.

Another sister of Jennifer, Michelle Laude, said she was hurt by the homicide verdict.

“Salamat sa lahat po ng nandito na tumutok sa kaso...dahil nandito kayo hanggang sa kahuli-hulihan although masakit kasi hindi 'yun ang ine-expect namin na mangyayari. Patay ‘yung kapatid namin, it means na sana murder kasi ‘yun ‘yung inaasahan namin, pero masakit pa rin kasi namatay yung kapatid namin. Dapat murder. Unfair naman talaga,” Michelle said.

While the two sisters decried the homicide ruling, Jennifer’s mother, Julita Laude, on the other hand, thanked everyone who helped them following the ruling on her daughter’s case and said that she is happy with the 38-page promulgation. However, she said she is not happy of the sentence of six to 12 years slapped on Pemberton.

“Una sa lahat nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat. Nasiyahan naman ako dun sa pagbasa dahil inisa-isa, hinimay-himay talaga lahat kung paano ginawa kay Ganda (Jennifer), kung paano sinabi sa mga doktor anong kinamatay ni Ganda pero ganunpaman... hindi ako kuntento doon sa sinabing anim na taon hanggang sampu, bakit ganun? Lumabas naman talaga sa tanong sa doctor ang ikinamatay ni Ganda dahil sa pagkalunod tapos parang hindi ako kuntento,” Julita said.

“Pero ganunpaman ang importante makukulong siya. Hindi nasayang yung pinaglalaban namin na makukulong siya. Hindi nasayang ang buhay ng anak ko na hindi niya napagbabayaran,” she added.

The mother of the victim also said she is worried that Pemberton will not be surrendered and brought to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) and be awarded with liberty in the US.

“Ang hindi ko lang matanggap baka ngayon isang araw lang o dalawang araw makita 'yang si Pemberton nagshopping na pala dun sa US pag hindi 'yan isinurrender,” she said.

Although somehow disappointed of the ruling against Pemberton, the Laude family said they will somehow accept the decision if Pemberton gets to be immediately brought to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

Malou said the family is hoping that Pemberton will be detained at the NBP right away.

“Sana ay diretso na agad si Pemberton sa at makit natin na pumapasok na siya sa NBP at hindi sa US,” Malou said.

Julita appealed to the Philippine National Police that they should abide by the court ruling immediately otherwise the court ruling will be useless since the American guards refuse to turn over Pemberton to PNP.

Pemberton, sentenced to imprisonment of six to 12 years by the Olongapo Regional Trial Court, is still at the court vicinity. He may be transferred to another facility as provided under Visiting Forces Agreement, according to the Department of Justice.