PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has granted absolute pardon to an American soldier convicted of killing Filipino transgender Jennifer Laude, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.
Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, then 20, was convicted of homicide in December 2015 for killing Laude in October 2014. He was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.
Locsin revealed that Pemberton was granted pardon in a Twitter post Monday, September 7, 2020, five days after the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court ordered Pemberton’s release.
“Cutting matters short over what constitutes time served, and since where he was detained was not in the prisoner’s control—and to do justice—the President has granted an absolute pardon to Pemberton. Here at the Palace,” he tweeted.
Cutting matters short over what constitutes time served, and since where he was detained was not in the prisoner’s control—and to do justice—the President has granted an absolute pardon to Pemberton. Here at the Palace.
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) September 7, 2020