DFA expects US to cooperate in murder case vs Pemberton over transgender slay

Photo of US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton
PHOTO FROM PEMBERTON FACEBOOK ACCOUNT

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs said on Monday it was expecting the “full cooperation” of the United States government after US Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton was charged in court with the Oct. 11 murder of transgender woman Jeffrey Jennifer Laude.

“In accordance with the Visiting Forces Agreement, we look forward to the full cooperation of the US government in ensuring that justice is secured for Jeffrey ‘Jennifer’ Laude,” DFA spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Charles Jose said in a statement.

Jose said that the investigation conducted by the Olongapo City prosecutor’s office was done with “all deliberate speed.”

“We now await the decision of the Court on the issue of probable cause and for the next steps to proceed,” Jose said.