MANILA, Philippines – Justice Secretary Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa on Thursday said the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) deportation order against United States Marine Pfc Joseph Scott Pemberton cannot be enforced yet.
In a statement released by the Department of Justice (DOJ), Caguiao said Pemberton, lead suspect in the killing of Filipino transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude, cannot be deported yet as his case is pending trial before a Philippine court.
The BI issued the deportation order against Pemberton last Monday on the ground of “undesirability.” However, like the DOJ, BI said that the order cannot be immediately implemented since Pemberton’s case is being heard by the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 74 and must first be cleared by the court.
Pemberton is facing a trial in the Olongapo City RTC for Laude’s murder October last year. He is currently detained at the US facility at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
DOJ on BI's deportation order against Pemberton Read: https://t.co/pyEAY1Qe8O
— DOJ (@DOJPH) October 22, 2015