US vows to comply with VFA after Pemberton's conviction

MANILA, Philippines — The United States on Tuesday vowed to comply with the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) following the conviction of an American Marine for killing a Filipino transgender woman.

The Olongapo City Regional Trial Court found US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton guilty of homicide for killing Filipino transgender Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude and was sentenced to imprisonment from six to 12 years.

"The Embassy notes that the Olongapo Regional Trial Court Branch 74 has reached a decision in the case of Lance Corporal Pemberton. We will continue to proceed in full compliance with the Visiting Forces Agreement," the US Embassy in Manila said in a statement.

The court directed the Philippine Commission on the Visiting Forces (PCVF) to submit the memorandum of agreement between the Philippines and the United States regarding the confinement of Pemberton.

Olongapo Judge Roline Ginez Jabalde initially ordered Pemberton to be temporarily committed to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City pending clarification of a custody arrangement between the Philippine and US governments.

Pemberton, however, was allowed to continue his stay at the Armed Forces' Custodial Center at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City under the guard of the Bureau of Corrections.

The PCVF was given five days from Tuesday to submit the memorandum between the two countries on Pemberton's confinement.

The commitment order dated December 1, which states that Pemberton be detained in Muntinlupa, will be implemented if the PCVF fails to submit the MOA.

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