DNA swabs to be taken from US Marine

MANILA, Philippines - US Marine Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton will give today a sample of his DNA and fingerprints to forensic investigators of the Philippine National Police, sources revealed.

“Buccal swabs and prints will be taken from Pemberton at Camp Aguinaldo by the Philippine National Police-Scene of the Crime Operatives (PNP-SOCO) after the US government gave a note verbale agreeing to it,” a source told The STAR yesterday.

Another source from the diplomatic community said only two public prosecutors are allowed to witness the procedures on Pemberton that would be performed inside the 20-foot refurbished shipping container where he is currently detained.

“Complainants and their lawyers are barred from witnessing the procedures,” the source said, adding the procedure would take take several minutes.

The PNP previously tried but failed to acquire a buccal swab and fingerprint samples of Pemberton to complete its investigation.

Pemberton is the primary suspect in the killing of transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude in a motel in Olongapo City on Oct. 11.

The PNP tried to place Pemberton under investigation but this was denied by US authorities, prompting lawyer Harry Roque, counsel of the Laude family, to file a motion to subject the American serviceman to buccal swabs and fingerprint sampling.

However, Pemberton’s lawyer again opposed this, until yesterday when the US government finally issued a note verbale allowing the conduct of procedures on the American serviceman.

 On the other hand, prosecutors investigating the murder of Laude yesterday conducted an ocular inspection of the places where the victim and Pemberton were seen together, and reenacted the events that transpired on Oct. 11 to determine if there is probable cause to file murder or homicide charges against the US serviceman.

Olongapo City Prosecutor Emelie Fe delos Santos, head of the prosecution team, denied a motion filed by Pemberton’s counsel, Rowena Flores, opposing the ocular inspection at the Celzone Lodge where Laude was found dead.

Pemberton was among a group of US Marines on board USS Peleliu who took part in the recently concluded US-Philippine joint military exercises in Zambales.

Pemberton and Laude met at the Ambyanz Night Life Bar along Magsaysay Avenue on the night of Oct. 11 and were later seen together checking in at the nearby Celzone Lodge.

Among those who attended the ocular inspection were the Laude family, the lawyers of both camps and members of the US Naval Forces.

Another transgender and key witness known as “Barbie” also attended the inspection, a move opposed by the defense.

Delos Santos earlier said the ocular inspection is necessary to corroborate the testimonies of witnesses.

Pemberton is currently detained at the Joint US Military Advisory Group compound at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Delos Santos said they would rule on probable cause after the inspection and reenactment. All motions from both camps, with or without Pemberton’s counter-affidavit, would be submitted for resolution.

The Laude family has filed a motion requiring Pemberton to submit himself to a DNA test, which was opposed by his lawyer.

The prosecution believes the US authorities will be the one to provide DNA samples of Pemberton.

“The presence of US authorities during the preliminary hearing is a sign that they will cooperate,” Delos Santos said, referring to Col. Timothy Stone of the US Navy regional legal service, who attended the legal proceedings last Oct. 27 at the Olongapo City Justice Hall.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced on Monday that they would file next week a disbarment case against Harry Roque, Laude’s lawyer.

AFP public affairs Chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said the case stemmed from Roque’s alleged inappropriate action when the Laude family forced themselves into a restricted area of the AFP headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo.

Laude’s German fiancé Marc Suselbeck was also charged by the AFP for climbing over the fence and for pushing a soldier during the incident.

Suselbeck had been subjected to deportation proceedings but has since apologized and offered voluntary deportation.

Olongapo economy stalled

Metro Olongapo Chamber of Commerce Inc. (MOCCI) president and Christmas Mardi Gras chairman Ruben de Guzman said Laude’s case has affected the livelihood of Olongapo residents, who want the court proceedings moved to Manila.

De Guzman said they had to hold the Mardi Gras event early to pre-empt the effect of the Laude issue, which he said has caused a negative impact on the city’s economy.

“They should stop holding rallies here because Olongapo is a small city and businesses and livelihood here are affected,” De Guzman said.

Eden Anam, manager of Sam’s Pizza Family Restaurant located across Celzone Lodge, said business was good when the US Naval Base was in the area.

Tropical Bay Restaurant owner Lani Strickland, whose place is across Ambyanz Night Life Bar, said her shop does good business whenever troops participating in military exercises are on liberty.

“We earn as much as P4,000 from a table occupied by a US serviceman. Five tables occupied by locals don’t make half of the amount,” she said.

“Today, business is not good because they closed part of Magsaysay Drive for the ocular inspection,” she added. – Bebot Sison Jr.