DAVAO CITY – A militant lawmaker said the court should not accept the defense of United States Marine Lance Corporal Scott Pemberton who is accused of killing Jennifer Laude.
“He is only “using gay panic defense”, which is usually used by those accused of murder of gays and transgenders and the court should not accept this. Transphobia and homophobia should never be a reason for committing a heinous crime,” said Gabriela Women’s Partylist Representative Emmi de Jesus in a statement Tuesday.
Pemberton on Monday admitted that he strangled Laude when he discovered that she was a biological male.
“His lawyer insists that he did not kill Laude because he left her still alive and strangling her was an act “to defend his honor” and guard against a scam,” De Jesus said.
“It’s sad to note that Pemberton say he was victim of the fraud committed by a sex worker and felt like he was violated by Laude, and yet the Aquino government allows the US military to continue raping Philippines’ sovereignty for more than a century. Our women and children are the victims here, and the rapists and killers get to escape free from having to answer for their misdeeds,” De Jesus added.
De Jesus said they are urging the Supreme Court to speed up the ruling on cases filed to rule the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement or EDCA, the pact signed between the Aquino regime and US President Barack Obama which progressive groups said “breeds sexual abuses and violence against women near places where joint military exercises are conducted.” (davaotoday.com)
