ROME—President Benigno Aquino III said that with convicted US Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton detained at Camp Aguinaldo, he was already “in a facility controlled by the Philippines,” as it is an extension of the national penitentiary.
Shortly before leaving for Manila on Friday, Mr. Aquino met with the Philippine media delegation who covered his week-long working visit to Paris, Rome and the Vatican.
In fact, the President pointed out, Pemberton has been in a facility under the control of Philippine authorities since the start of his detention last year in connection with the killing of Filipino transgender Jennifer Laude.
“The facility in the AFP, I think at ISAFP, is going to be manned by Bureau of Corrections personnel or is already being manned by Bureau of Corrections personnel. In effect, this is an extension of the (New) Bilibid (Prison) and consistent with the agreements under the VFA (Visiting Forces Agreement),” Mr. Aquino told a press conference.
Olongapo Regional Trial Court Judge Roline Ginez-Jabalde found Pemberton guilty of homicide and sentenced him to six to 12 years in prison.
Pemberton admitted to choking Laude when he discovered that she was a transgender after they checked into a motel in Olongapo City.
The court ordered Pemberton’s temporary detention at the NBP in Muntinlupa City but US Embassy officials refused to turn him over.
After Pemberton submitted a handwritten request for clarification to the court, the Department of Justice directed that the US Marine be held at Camp Aguinaldo until his appeal on the court decision is ruled on with finality.
Asked if he thought Pemberton was being given special treatment, President Aquino said the clause in the VFA stating “an agreed upon detention facility” prompted critics to claim that being in a detention facility other than the NBP was “already special.”
For such allegations, there are no right answers, Mr. Aquino said.
The Chief Executive was also asked how Pemberton’s conviction would affect relations between the Philippines and the United States.
“The bottom line is as a sovereign state, we have an agreement with another sovereign state. Our courts have ruled. First, Pemberton was presented to the court, our court sentenced him, and he would be guarded by our personnel in the Philippines as he serves his sentence,” the President said.
Mr. Aquino said that with Pemberton’s conviction, the Philippines showed that its courts can “judge properly.”
“The rule of law happens in our country. It is respected by the other state. Therefore, it redounds to both parties’ benefit that are not unequal. We have equality among two equally sovereign states that when an infraction is committed, you have to pay for it,” the President said, adding: “The straight answer is, our relationship, between us and America, has been enhanced more.”