Laude’s mom on seeing Pemberton: ‘I will ask him why he killed my child”

By: Bong Lozada - 10 years ago

MANILA, Philippines – If the mother of slain transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude comes face to face with her alleged killer, she has this to say: “I will ask him why he killed my child.”

Julita Laude was with her daughter Marilou, Laude’s German boyfriend Marc Suselbeck and supporters at the detention facility in the military’s national headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo where suspect, Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton, is being detained.

Mrs. Laude was screaming at the guards and at Pemberton who was inside a container van at the Joint US Military Assistance Group.

Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude. ALLAN MACATUNO / INQUIRER CENTRAL LUZON

“You were so good at killing people,” Mrs. Laude said.

Laude’s sister Marilou and Suselbeck climbed over a wire fence and tried but failed to get past the Filipino guards.

The Laudes and Suselbeck arrived at the Pemberton’s detention facility and demanded to see the US Marine.

Pemberton was brought to Camp Aguinaldo earlier on Wednesday amid an ongoing preliminary investigation into the alleged death of Laude inside a lodge in Olongapo City last October 11.

Witnesses identified Pemberton as having been Laude’s companion when they entered the lodge.

Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc, AFP Public Affairs Chief, said what Marilou and Suselbeck did would be considered as trespassing as the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board facility inside Camp Aguinaldo is under the jurisdiction of the US government.

“Let us not jump over fences,” Cabunoc said. “You can write to us through your lawyers.”

During the nearly half-hour standoff, Suselbeck pushed one of the Filipino soldiers who stood guard and managed to remain calm despite the tense situation.

As of posting time, Major General Domingo Tutaan, AFP spokesman, said the Laudes and Suselbeck walked out of Camp Aguinaldo after having a meeting with Brigadier General Arthur Ang, Camp Commander of Camp Aguinaldo.

Tutaan added that Ang has yet to file a report on the incident and they would decide if they would file trespassing charges against the Laudes and Suselbeck.