Pemberton to be arraigned Friday for Laude killing

(Updated 2:51 p.m.) Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, the suspect in the killing of Filipina transgender Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude, will be arraigned Friday at the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 74.

Left Camp Aguinaldo early
 

Before dawn on Friday, a three-vehicle convoy suspected to be carrying Pemberton was seen leaving the facility in Camp Aguinaldo where the Marine is being detained.

 

Shortly after the convoy left, a report said the lights at the JUSMAG facility where Pemberton was detained were switched off around 2:40 a.m.

 

A white sport-utility vehicle with diplomatic plates then arrived at the Olongapo City Hall of Justice shortly after 4 a.m. Friday.

 

The van was allowed to enter the tightly secured compound, and the gates were immediately closed, radio dzBB's Manny Vargas reported.

Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs Office, confirmed Pemberton was transported by US personnel to Olongapo City early Friday.

"The convoy of vehicles left Camp Aguinaldo at 2 a.m. and arrived Olongapo City at 4:30 a.m.," he said.

"The PNP and MP Battalion provided security augmentation during the travel," Cabunoc added.

 

On Thursday, representatives from the US Naval Forces led by Commander Timothy Stone inspected the Olongapo RTC courtroom where Pemberton is to be presented for arraignment.

 

A representative from the US Naval Criminal Investigative Service also arrived Thursday afternoon but declined to give a statement.

 

Olongapo City police had adopted security measures at the courtroom.

Pemberton is still under the custody of the US government after the Philippines' request for his custody was turned down.

 

For its part, the US issued a statement saying it will cooperate with the Philippine government to make sure justice prevails.