Suselbeck to return to Germany today

MANILA, Philippines - The issuance of voluntary deportation against Marc Suselbeck, the German fiancé of slain transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude, was a “win-win situation,” the military said yesterday. Suselbeck is expected to leave the country today.

Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said the development had highlighted the need for everyone, including foreigners, to follow regulations and the rule of law.

“We wanted this to happen because we want to discipline Suselbeck because of what he did,” Cabunoc said in an interview.

Cabunoc said the voluntary deportation would make Suselbeck accountable for his actions while allowing him to leave the country without a criminal case.

The military’s decision not to file a case against Suselbeck would also allow him to keep his job since he does not need to stay in the country for the legal proceedings, he added.

“For humanitarian considerations, we did not file a case against him. He opted for voluntary deportation, which means that he is acknowledging his fault,” Cabunoc said.

Early this month, the military asked the Bureau of Immigration to declare Suselbeck an undesirable alien for trying to enter a restricted area in Camp Aguinaldo last Oct. 22 by scaling a fence in an attempt to get to the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) compound where suspect US Marine Pfc. Joseph Pemberton is detained.

The 41-year-old German was supposed to leave the country last Oct. 26 but was barred from doing so because of the complaint filed by the military.

On Thursday, the BI issued a voluntary deportation order against Suselbeck.

Under the country’s immigration rules, a foreigner applying for voluntary deportation is deemed to have admitted the charges against him and allowed his name to be placed in the blacklist. Suselbeck’s inclusion in the blacklist effectively bars him from re-entering the country.

Meanwhile, the military has yet to decide what action to take against Laude’s sister Marilou, who also climbed over the fence surrounding the MDB-SEB facility.

Cabunoc said he would wait for Armed Forces Chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. to make a decision before issuing a statement.

“What I can say right now is we treat those who violated the law equally,” he said.

The military is also considering filing a formal complaint against Harry Roque, the lawyer of the Laude family, before the Integrated Bar of the Philippines for his supposed misbehavior inside the camp.

Roque yelled at the soldiers guarding the MDB-SEB compound and accused them of protecting American interests.