DOJ denies request to replace prosecutor in Pemberton case

MANILA, Philippines–The Department of Justice denied the request of the relatives of slain Filipino transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude to replace Olongapo City Prosecutor Emilie Fe Delos Santos as panel head handling the case of suspect Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton.

“There is no ground for inhibition. The claim of bias is a mere allegation,” Prosecutor General Claro Arellano said in a text message Wednesday.

Atty. Harry Roque, counsel of the Laude family accused Delos Santos of siding with the US government and being antagonistic to their camp since the start of the preliminary investigation.

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

Delos Santos already denied the accusation saying she does not talk to the US government and was only coursing through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) the documents needed during the preliminary investigation.

Roque was questioning why their camp was not given a copy of the US Naval Criminal Investigative Service Report but Delos Santos said she has no authority over such document.

Roque also questioned why witness “Barbie” was not present when buccal samples and fingerprints were taken from Pemberton for proper identification.