Pemberton's non-appearance a 'blatant affront' to sovereignty

MANILA, Philippines - Women's rights group Gabriela on Wednesday said that US Marine Joseph Scott  Pemberton's failure toto attend the preliminary investigation on the murder of Filipino transgender Jennifer Laude is a "blatant affront" to Philippine sovereignty.

 

Gabriela secretary general Joms Salvador said the summon issued by the Olongapo City Prosecutor's Office clearly indicated that the American soldier's presence was required in Tuesday's legal proceedings.

 

"This is a blatant affront to our sovereignty. And what is more outrageous is that our authorities seem to have accepted this fact calmly. We need to hear from the Aquino government a strong statement that will compel the US government to cede jurisdiction and surrender Pemberton to Philippine custody," Salvador said in a statement.

 

Salvador said that contrary to President  Aquino's statement that the killing of Filipino transgender Jennifer Laude was just an isolated case and that "the whole should not suffer from the sin of one", thousands of cases of US atrocities have been noted all throughout the history of the US bases' presence in Clark and Subic, as well as with the enforcement of the Visiting Forces Agreement.

 

"Murder, rapes, sexual assault and other crimes by US military personnel on Philippine soil have already been recorded and exposed even long before the murder of Jennifer," she said. 

 

In yesterday's preliminary investigation, Salvador said there had been rumors circulating that Pemberton has already left the country along with the four other US marines who were named as witnesses to the case.

 

Salvador is set to speak before the Senate hearing upon invitation of the Committee on Foreign Relations chaired by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago to present Gabriela's position on the issue of jurisdiction and the VFA. 

 

Gabriela members will hold a protest action at the gate of the Senate simultaneous with the Senate hearing.