PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 24, 2014) Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104) attach a towing hook to an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the Red Lions of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 15. Sterett is underway as part of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group in the Y.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Eric Coffer/Released)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – A human rights lawyer will be the counsel of the family of a transgender woman killed in Olongapo City earlier this month.
Lawyer Harry Roque Jr. will represent the family of Jeffrey Laude, also known as Jennifer, in the case to be filed against a US Marine linked to the killing.
Roque said he would talk to the family of Jennifer first before heading for the Hall of Justice in Olongapo City where police are expected to lodge a murder complaint against Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton.
Roque is also one of the lawyers who had questioned the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the Philippines and the United States.
In an entry on his blog Tuesday, Roque said Laude’s case “recalls yet again the iniquitous provisions of the Visiting Forces Agreement on detention facilities for US servicemen found guilty of violating Philippine laws.”
“We should learn from history, foreign military presence and national interest do not mix well,” he added.
The US Marine is implicated in the killing of Laude, who was found dead in an Olongapo City inn over the weekend.
Laude was reportedly last seen with a foreigner. (MNS)