Pemberton deportation order welcomed by Laude lawyer
OLONGAPO CITY – Lawyer Harry Roque, counsel for the family of slain Filipino transgender Jeffrey ‘Jennifer’ Laude yesterday welcomed the Bureau of Immigration (BI) order to deport prime suspect US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton.
“The order of the Bureau of Immigration ordering the deportation of US Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton is a welcome development. It was at the instance of the Laude family that he was made the subject of deportation proceedings,” Roque said.
“It proves that he is indeed an undesirable alien arising from the killing of Jennifer. This notwithstanding, his deportation should be after he serves his sentence, if found guilty. Any contrary ruling will accord him with impunity,” added Roque.
BI the other day deemed Pemberton an undesirable alien in a five-page resolution that was issued on September 16.
“Physical deportation shall only be implemented after the RTC’s decision becomes final, or when the said court issues a clearance to deport Pemberton,” BI spokesperson Elaine Tan pointed out.
She added if the soldier is convicted, the deportation will have to wait until he has served sentence here.
She said the BI issued undesirability charges against Pemberton in October last year which was followed one week later by a deportation complaint filed by the Laude family.
On November 24, 2014, Pemberton filed a memorandum to abbreviate the deportation proceedings by requesting for voluntary deportation without admitting undesirability.
The request was denied by the Board of Commissioners.