US Secretary of State John Kerry promised the Philippines that there will be no special treatment for an American marine who was recently lodged with a murder complaint of a transgender Filipino outside a former U.S. Navy base.
US Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton, accused as the murderer of Jennifer Laude in Olongapo, is reportedly in the custody of his superiors aboard USS Peleliu, an amphibious assault ship docked in Subic Bay, a former US Navy base next to Olongapo, northwest of Manila.
"We’re not seeking a special privilege, and everybody’s rights will be appropriately protected. And that is exactly what we will do here," Kerry told reporters after meeting his Filipino counterpart, Albert del Rosario, on Monday.
"Due process will play out, and we will work with the Philippines in order to make certain that rule of law and the agreement are upheld," he added.
Stated in the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), the Philippines is supposed to use jurisdiction over such a crime. Several lawmakers and activists have appealed on the government to junk the VFA unless the United States hands him over.
However, Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Monday turned down requests to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement.
Aquino explained that the defense and foreign ministries are coordinating with the US Embassy in Manila to settle the issue of Pemberton’s custody.
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