DFA: We don’t have role in Laude case; it’s police matter

By: Aries Joseph Hegina, Matikas Santos - 10 years ago

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday that they don’t need to have direct contact with the family of slain Filipino transgender woman Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude in Olongapo City because they “don’t have a role.”

“The Philippine National Police (PNP) is there conducting the investigation. They were able to finish it and file a complaint,” DFA spokesman Assistant Secretary Charles Jose told reporters in a briefing Thursday.

Protesters rally in front of DFA building. MATIKAS SANTOS

Asked about the complaint of Lawyer Harry Roque, counsel for the victim, that no personnel from DFA or the Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFACOM) have met with the members of the family since the news of the crime broke, Jose said, “For what? We don’t have a role. This is a criminal case.”

Roque said in a televised press conference earlier Thursday, “Where are the DFA, VFACOM? They have not shown themselves to the family. There aren’t even any condolences or visits.”

Police have filed murder charges before the Olongapo City Prosecutor’s Office against US Marine Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton Wednesday for the killing of Laude October 11, 2014.

Jose said that they would still wait for the case to be filed before the court and the issuance of a warrant of arrest before they submit a formal request to the US for custody of Pemberton.

Pemberton and three other Marines considered as potential witnesses are currently in detention onboard the USS Peleliu docked at the port of Subic.

Meanwhile, in a radio interview on Radyo Inquirer, Roque urged anew the DFA to assert custody of Pemberton.

“Ang Department of Foreign Affairs, sila naman ang palaging nagsasabi na para sa national interest itong DFA. Ngayon, sasabihin niyo sa amin, sa pamilya ni Jennifer na ngayon sa pagkakataong ito, hindi naman makuha at mapanagot ang Amerikanong nasa barkong dayuhan?” Roque said.

(The Department of Foreign Affairs always say that they promote national interest. Then now, the DFA is telling Jennifer’s family that this time, the American suspect will not be accountable?)

Roque also blasted DFA for not showing up during Laude’s wake and the filing of the murder rap against Pemberton before the Olongapo City Prosecutor’s Office Wednesday.

“Ang DFA, VFA committee, sila dapat ang nasa frontline ng pagtataguyod ng karapatan ng biktima. Sa totoo lang po, ni anino ng taga-DFA, ng taga-VFA commission, wala po akong nakita; hindi nagpapakita, hindi nagpaparamdam, para bang walang saysay ang pagkamatay ni Jennifer.

(The DFA, VFA Committee should be at the frontline in promoting the rights of the victim. I have not seen anyone from the DFA. They seem to not care about Jennifer’s death.)

The lawyer added that Laude’s family demands justice in order to put a stop to the abuses allegedly committed by American soldiers stationed in Olongapo.

“Nagkakaisa po sila [Laude’s family] na dapat makuha ang katarungan hindi lamang para kay Jennifer kung hindi para sa buong sambayanan. Dahil kung hindi nila ipaglalaban ang hustisya ngayon, marami pa pong Pilipino ang magiging biktima ng mga sundalong Amerikano dito sa Olongapo,” Roque said.

(They [Laude’s family] are united in demanding justice not only for Jennifer but for all Filipinos. If they will not fight for justice now, many Filipinos will also become victims of American soldiers.)