Special treatment on Pemberton will attract more crime-committing Joes – fisherfolk group
Manila, Philippines – The militant fisherfolk Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya-Pilipinas) on Friday said the government’s special treatment to the convicted US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton is an enticement to the US troops to come in the Philippines, abuse and do heinous crimes to our women with impunity.
US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton was found guilty of homicide for killing Filipino transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude last year. But the Department of Justice (DOJ) allowed Pemberton to remain in Camp Aguinaldo despite the court’s decision to detain him in a regular jail in New Bilibid Prison.
But the fisherfolk group lambasted the DOJ for its special treatment to this foreign criminal. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will even construct a new jail for Pemberton inside Camp Aguinaldo.
“Is this for the sake of being a ‘hospitable host’ again? After killing our woman, the government will even construct a newly-painted, newly designed jail cell for this Joe to make him comfortable while ‘serving his sentence’. Where can you find a country that shows a total puppetry to the United States while setting aside its own people? It’s only in the Philippines under President Aquino’s administration!” Salvador France, Pamalakaya Vice-Chairperson said in a statement.
“While Filipino prisoners are suffering from the inhumane conditions and treatment in our ordinary penitentiaries, Pemberton is taking his vacation galore in the bungalow-type jail inside the Philippine Army’s barracks. Maybe the government may even want to put a swimming pool, Jacuzzi and a bar in Pemberton’s detention cell so they can maximize their puppetry.” France added.
Pamalakaya blamed the unequal military treaties under the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) which always gives favour the United States military personnel even if they commit crimes in the country. The fisherfolk group calls for the immediate termination of the VFA and the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) which will give US troops complete access to Philippine sovereignty.
“Unless Pemberton is not detained in a regular prison without special treatment, and the US-Philippine military treaties like the VFA and EDCA remains, justice for Jennifer Laude will not be completely served.” France ended. ###
