Climbing over AFP fence ‘a mistake,’ admits Laude’s fiancé

The fiancé of slain Filipino transgender woman Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude admitted that it was wrong of him to climb over the fence of the Armed Forces headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, where he and the victim's family went on Wednesday to confront the US serviceman named suspect in the killing.

In an interview with GMA News TV's “News To Go” on Thursday, Marc Sueselbeck, a German national, admitted that what he did “was certainly disrespectful” to Philippine authorities.

“If I would have a second thought on that, I would not have climbed over the fence, I would not have entered there,” he said.

Sueselbeck and Laude's relatives arrived at Camp Aguinaldo on Wednesday afternoon hoping to confront US Marine Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton, who was transferred there from the US warship USS Peleliu.

They were however barred from gaining access to Pemberton, prompting one of Laude's sisters, Marilou, to climb over the fence to gain access to the detention facility housing the suspect. Sueselbeck followed suit.

In the News To Go interview, Sueselbeck said what enraged him was “seeing the soldiers standing there and making their jokes when Marilou tried to get in there.” He said he had apologized to soldiers and the camp commander when they were already inside the camp.

“From what I can say, no one of them saw it as a personal offense or a disrespect, because it was clear that it was not meant against any of the soldiers there. It was a personal mistake [in my part],” Sueselbeck said.

PHL 'has to deal' with problems

Sueselbeck added that it was wrong of them to get into the compound “because the Philippines [has] to deal with the problems the Americans leave them.”

He expressed dismay over the “behavior of the US authority” regarding the case. He said they are “doing everything on their own, not including anyone in the Philippine authorities.”

“We have to remember after the night when it happened, no one -- and I repeat, no one -- of the Philippine authorities even saw that guy, had the chance to work with him, to make sure it's really him. No one knew his exact whereabouts from the first moment on. It was just what the US was giving out as a statement [about] where he is, but no one in the Philippine authorities have proof and have the chance to be with him in person,” he said.

Sueselbeck also said cooperation from the US should have meant access to Pemberton and the evidence that could be taken from him, such as DNA samples and fingerprints.

“Still, even now, after one and a half weeks, we still don't have DNA samples of him, no fingerprints, and all the evidence which are probably there after that night on his body, scratch marks or something,” he said.

'She lived a normal and decent life'

Meanwhile, Sueselbeck insisted that his fiance “was just living a normal and decent life,” clarifying that Laude was not one to go out frequently.

He added that he was constantly in touch not only with Laude, but with her family and friends.

“I always knew her whereabouts, we were talking every 1 or 2 hours. I was also in close contact with her friends and family all the time, so I did know about the lifestyle. I can tell you what, she was just living a normal and decent lifestyle here as well as she could. I know what you want to go on, refer to, but you probably should recall the Senate hearing yesterday, the statement of her sister was very clear,” he said.

At a hearing on Wednesday, Laude's sister, Michelle, told the Senate foreign affairs committee that Jeffrey was not a sex worker, adding that before the night of the incident, it had nearly been a year since Jeffrey went out with friends.

Interment plans

Asked about plans for interment, Sueselbeck said the family is still working out the details. “All I know is that it will be a long march around Olongapo.”

“We will just try to make it a respectful day,” he said.

The victim's fiance added that the family will proceed with it “no matter what, even if the NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) would probably show up over the day.”

"They had enough time to make sure they got what they wanted, so the family ... at the moment will proceed with it no matter what. The exact plan or schedule will be made, they will work it out over the day," Sueselbeck said.

It was reported earlier that Laude's remains will be cremated on Friday. —Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/KBK, GMA News