Laude's mother to PNoy: Pilipino ka rin
MANILA, Philippines - In tears, the mother of slain transgender Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude, censured President Benigno Aquino III for his perceived inaction in the murder case against US Marine Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton.
Julita Laude, who on Tuesday saw for the first time police photos of her son when he was found dead in an Olongapo City hotel room, reminded Aquino of his vow to regard Filipinos--and not Americans--as his "bosses."
"Hindi ba tumagos sa puso mo 'yan noong nakita mo? Pilipino ka rin!" Julita cried, while the photos released publicly for the first time are flashed on a screen near her.
"Noong tumakbo ka, ako pa ang lumilider sa Visayas para sa'yo kasi sabi ko susubukan ko kung ano'ng klase ka, wala ka palang kwenta!" she added.
Julita also appealed to Aquino to review the Visiting Forces Agreement that allowed Pemberton and fellow servicemen to step into the country.
"Nakita mo yung picture ng anak ko? Kung sa'yo kaya mangyari yun! And anak ko, walang kalaban-laban, naghahanap-buhay nang maayos, hindi nakaka-perwisyo nung tao," she said.
Lawyer Harry Roque said that the crime did not only take a loved one from Julita, but her family also suffered from humiliation from their own government.
Roque said Manila cannot even compel Washington to produce the suspect for the preliminary investigation or even to be taken fingerprints from.
The victim's German boyfriend and sister were also humiliated after the soldier that prevented them from accessing Pemberton was honored by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
"The Armed Forces have spent more time lambasting [the victim's] family than helping them," Roque said.
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