Jennifer Laude Philippines - On Monday, a panel of Philippine prosecutors have filed murder charges against US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton for allegedly killing a transgender Filipina. The Laude murder case has reignited anti-American protests in the Philippines.
According to Chief Prosecutor Emilie Fe de los Santos, the prosecution panel in the Philippines has recommended that US Marine Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton be charged with murder and not the lower charge of homicide for slaying Jennifer Laude. The prosecutor added that the team discovered "aggravating qualifying circumstances" that showed Laude's death was a murder.
"It's a capital offense so there will be no bail. There was aggravated treachery, abuse of superior strength and cruelty. That counts as a qualifying circumstance. Because you have those 3 aggravating qualifying circumstances... its murder," De Los Santos said.
Jennifer Laude, a 26-year-old transgender woman, was found dead and half-naked on Oct. 11 in a motel in Olongapo City, Philippines. According to Time, Laude was strangled and drowned in the bathroom of the motel.
According to an autopsy report by the Philippine authorities, Jennifer Laude died from "asphyxia by drowning." Yahoo! News reported the accused, Pemberton, was the last person seen with the victim. The 19-year-old US Marine had just finished taking part in the US-Philippine military exercises near Olongapo City when he had checked into a motel with Laude.
Jennifer Laude's death has fueled street demonstrations and the public outcry pressuring the Philippine government to seek the transfer of Pemberton's detention from a US warship to military headquarters in Manila. The Daily Mail reported the case underscored the debate over custody of American military personnel accused of crimes.
As stated on the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the Philippines, the US can maintain the custody of its military personnel wanted for crimes in the country. However, BBC News reported the arrangement damages the Philippine sovereignty and does not benefit the nation.
Meanwhile, an arrest warrant for Pemberton is expected to be issued within next week, Reuters reported. Pemberton will not be allowed to post bail and a murder charge is punishable by up to 40 years imprisonment. However, Pemberton had asked prosecutors to downgrade the murder charge to homicide that carried a maximum 20-year jail time.
The Jennifer Laude murder case comes as the Philippines and the United States strengthen ties with the recent signing of a 10-year defense agreement that allows greater US access to Philippine military camps, bases, ports and airfields.
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