House urged to probe into transgender’s slay

By: Marc Jayson Cayabyab - 10 years ago

MANILA, Philippines—A militant lawmaker on Tuesday filed a resolution urging the House of Representatives to investigate the killing of the Filipino transgender allegedly by a US Marine.

Kabataan Representative Terry Ridon filed House Resolution 1568 to ask the committees on foreign affairs and national defense to conduct a joint inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the case.

Jeffrey Laude, 26, was found dead, apparently strangled and drowned, beside a toilet bowl in a motel room in Olongapo City, shortly after he checked in with a Caucasian man late Saturday. The foreigner, who escaped, was described by witnesses as a US Marine who had met the victim in a bar, police said.

Terry Ridon. FILE PHOTO

Authorities said a Marine, identified as Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton, was being held on board the USS Peleliu in the Subic Bay free port, as police launched investigation into Laude’s death.

Ridon said this is not the first time a US soldier was accused of committing a crime in the country. He cited the 2005 Subic rape case involving “Nicole.”

US Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith was one of the accused in the rape case and was convicted by a lower court to 40 years imprisonment but an appeals court reversed the verdict after Nicole retracted her statement.

The celebrated rape case fueled criticisms on the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which allowed American troops to visit the country even after the US bases were shut down in 1991.

The VFA also grants the Philippine jurisdiction over members of the US troops who commit crimes in the country not linked to their official duties. But it also says custody over the Americans remain with the US government except on “extraordinary cases.”

“This is the second time that a US serviceman committed a criminal offense in the country. Nine years ago, Lance Corporal Daniel Smith was charged and convicted for the rape of a Filipino woman. His custody remained with the United States of America during his trial, which exposed the lopsided nature of the VFA,” Ridon said in the resolution.

Ridon said the probe should also look into the VFA, as well as the recently signed Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca).

Edca, essentially an implementation of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), was signed as the Philippines aims to boost its defense capabilities with the help of the US in the midst of territorial disputes with China, while the US increases its presence in the region.

“The growing threat posed by the continued implementation of the VFA, MDT, and now the Edca warrants a full-blown congressional inquiry. One death is one too many. Congress must again open the debates on the abrogation of the VFA and the junking of the Edca,” Ridon said.

“Congress must also exhaust its powers to guarantee a just investigation and an unprejudiced trial to exact justice for Jennifer Laude,” he added.