(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Philippine police authorities and the victim's relatives yesterday filed criminal charges of murder against a US Marine, in connection with the Saturday killing of a transgender, Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude, whose body was found inside a comfort room of a lodging house, his head submerged in the toilet bowl.
Human Rights lawyer, Harry Roque Jr, counsel for the Laude family, said at the Olongapo City justice hall that there is enough evidence to sustain the charge of murder against Pfc Joseph Scott Pemberton as he used force and had the intention to kill when he pushed Jeffrey's face down the toilet bowl. Police records from among the documents submitted to the prosecutors' office reveal Jeffrey died from asphyxiation, due to drowning.
Sworn statements by witnesses, including that of vital witness Mark Clarence Gelviro, also form part of the complaint. US authorities on Monday ordered four US Marines, including Pemberton, detained inside USS Peleliu and prevented the warship, currently in Subic Bay after participating in a 10-day joint military exercises with the Philippine military, from leaving pending investigation into the killing.
On Tuesday, Gelviro, who was with Jeffrey and Pemberton when the two checked in at a lodging house, identified Pemberton from a photo line-up provided by the US Naval Investigation Service.
But relatives and members of various militant groups yesterday rue the detention of Pemberton inside the US warship and called on the Philippine authorities to immediately seek custody of Pemberton.
"The whole nation must demand custody by the Philippine authorities of the suspect," Kabataan Patrylist Representative, Terry Ridon, said after Pemberton was identified, noting that "this is no longer a simple case of rape, but a slaying by an American serviceman of one of our countrymen." On Tuesday, Ridon filed a House Resolution urging the Philippine Congress to conduct parallel investigation in aid of legislation on the murder of Laude.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.