Women’s group questions BI’s decision to deport Pemberton

MANILA, Philippines – A women’s group expressed apprehension over the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) decision to deport United States Marine Pfc Joseph Scott Pemberton, accused of killing Filipino transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude.

Gabriela party-list said they agree with BI’s decision to declare Pemberton as an “undesirable alien” as requested by the Laude family. However, they oppose the idea of deportation.

“While the undesirable alien declaration is a well deserved punishment for Pemberton, the deportation procedure must not preclude the verdict on the murder case filed against him at the Olongapo RTC (Regional Trial Court),” Gabriela Secretary General Joms Salvador said.

“If he is found guilty he should be jailed in Philippine territory where he committed the crime,” she added.

 The group reiterated that Pemberton’s murder conviction is a “non-compromise."

“Only when we see him languishing in a Philippine jail would we concude that justice for Jennifer has been served,” Salvador said.

On Monday, the BI issued a deportation order against Pemberton even if he is on trial after being declared an “undesirable alien” in the country. However, the bureau clarified that the order could not be immediately enforced as the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 74, hearing Pemberton’s case, must first approve the order.