SAN ANTONIO, Philippines (June 30, 2014) U.S. Marines assigned to1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, conduct a joint amphibious landing exercise with Philippine marines during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Philippines 2014. In its 20th year, CARAT is an annual, bilateral exercise series with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the armed forces of nine partner nations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jerry Jimenez/Released)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – The mother of slain transgender woman Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude said she is willing to forgive the US serviceman accused of killing her child, but vowed to continue her family’s fight for justice.
Julita Laude said she may forgive US Marine Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton, but only if he will confess to what he did and is rightfully punished for it.
“Tao rin naman ako, ‘di ako Diyos. Patatawarin ko siya, pero iba ang sitwasyon ng pagpapatawad. May hustisya tayo, doon ka,” the 51-year-old said.
Julita added that despite criticism, they will not give up their fight for justice for her transgender child.
“’Yung pinaglalaban namin ngayon, may pupuntahan. Hirap man kami sa una at may takot din kami,” she said.
She disclosed that their family feels bad about accusations that they were causing trouble in the area, which supposedly is benefiting from assistance given by US troops like Pemberton who are participating in joint military exercises in the country.
“Nakakapamerwisyo lang daw kami… ‘Yung mga Amerikanong pumupunta rito nakakatulong,” Julita said.
“Oo, nandoon na ako, pero hindi naman lahat ng Amerikano ipapakulong ko. Kung sino lang ‘yung may kasalanan, ‘yun lang,” she added.
Laude’s mother and her family feel that they’re slowly feeling the case moving forward, more than a week after the 26-year-old transgender was found dead in an inn in Olongapo City.
Pemberton, currently kept “under restrictive status” in the USS Pelileu, was summoned last week by the Olongapo City Prosecutor’s Office to a preliminary investigation on the killing.
On Monday, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Pemberton must attend the proceedings, after the US Embassy announced that the US serviceman may or may not appear in the scheduled preliminary probe on Tuesday.
Laude’s remains, meanwhile, will be cremated on Friday. The victim’s German fiancé, Marc Sueselbeck, has arrived in the Philippines to pay his last respects. (MNS)