Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Pardons U.S. Marine Guilty of Transgender Killing

The pardon by President Rodrigo Duterte of a U.S. Marine convicted of killing a transgender woman has rekindled criticism and calls for #JusticeForJenniferLaude

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he has pardoned a U.S. marine found guilty in 2015 of killing a transgender Filipina.

Duterte said he has decided to release American soldier Joseph Scott Pemberton after serving five years out of his 10-year sentence for killing transgender woman Jennifer Laude in 2014. “We have not treated Pemberton fairly,” the Philippine leader said in a briefing on Monday, adding that the U.S. marine is presumed to be of good character after years in jail.

Duterte’s decision risks reigniting anti-American sentiment in the former U.S. colony. The president has often questioned the benefits of the Philippines’ alliance with the U.S., but has kept ties with America. In June, he walked back his decision to end a military pact with the U.S.

The pardon is a “grave injustice to the Filipino people” and “another hallmark of Philippines’ subservience to the U.S.,” said Virginia Lacsa Suarez, a lawyer for the victim’s family.

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[californiaraised]

Please start telling guys you are trans before and not have him find out at the wrong time trapping someone is not safe for both

[OrganicLithiumFarm]

The family took blood money $100k and also part of the bargain is they can migrate to the U.S without any red tape from USCIS, family migrated 4 or 5 years ago. I think its just fair if the family accepted the blood money they simply want Pemberton to do some jail time and would accept a chance of leniency or getting pardoned. Just FYI Duterte isn't a big fan of American policy but friends with Trump . A Filipino was pardoned years ago in the U.S for murder maybe this is just a reciprocity .

[ithofnov]

I think we can all agree that respecting people sexuality is important. That is why if your trans you must disclose.

[semperfidelis]

I am a former US Marine and I do not support what this former Marine did. All he had to do kick her/he out of his hotel room or call the cops. He did not have to kill her. She/he has love ones who will never see her/he again and that is very sad. No excuse for killing unless faced in a was situation or defending your family or neighbor.

[mr.preece]

Death penalty for drug trafficking, 10 years for murder?

[redmule]

Men shouldn't be dressing up like women and tricking other straight men.

[denoall]

Forget about the part she/he was a transgender he/she was a human being. If you kill someone for any reason other than self defense you should spend your entire life in jail...

[nathanielcarreon]

Just 5 years for killing somebody, what a joke.

[filosofotacio]

"No date has been set for Pemberton's (murderer) release." *Once the check clears.

[okdenny]

He can come back home and be anybody. A priest, a politician, a teacher...

[SerafEnd]

That's insane, getting away with murder. She was a human being.

[billbryant]

I'm a former Marine, and I think he should have to serve the full 10 years. In fact I think it should have been longer. No one has the right to take a life like that. He's a disgrace. I don't know the Philippine system of law, but I would assume it's within the President's rights to pardon whomever he wants, so I'm not criticizing at all. But that guy just got lucky.

[LovEyDuBB]

I wonder if he'll be still held accountable under the UCMJ.

[jimmyiggy]

How could this death have been prevented?
This trans person could have not committed deceit, plain and simple.

[thisistheaccountname]

"We have not treated Pemberton fairly."

Yeah, tell that to his victim.

[sadker]

Y’all want to be out here lying to men then complain when they react that wayn

[LivingDewCrew]

That’s so messed up. You took someone’s LIFE and you’re being pardoned

[onlythewise]

did he french kiss the guy and then found out he is a male, would piss alot of people off

[lpwnage]

Serve half the sentence? In the U.S. that's just normal.

[TheTRUNLIVIN]

God bless that brotha deception in any form is punishable by death do what you please but don’t force your behavior on ppl and not expect a consequence