Jennifer’s family, supporters launch campaign for justice

OLONGAPO CITY—Forty days after transgender woman Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude was found dead inside a motel here, her relatives said they felt like grappling in the dark as they awaited the prosecution panel to charge the suspect, a US serviceman, in court.

Laude’s mother Julita and sister Marilou appealed to the government to speed up the ongoing investigation into the evidence gathered during the preliminary probe and charge US Marine Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton with murder.

Accompanied by supporters, Laude’s relatives carried placards with the message, “All of me … for Jennifer, for Justice and against VFA (Visiting Forces Agreement),” at the Heritage Garden cemetery here as they marked the 40th day of Laude’s death on Thursday.

“Until now, there’s no justice for her (Laude). I hope President Aquino will hear our plea,” Julita said.

She asked the President to seek the American government’s help in resolving the case. “He is also a Filipino and I hope he talks to the US government to help us get justice,” she said.

Marilou said her family had long been wanting to see that the murder complaint they filed in the city prosecutor’s office on Oct. 15 against Pemberton would be elevated to the court soon.

The prosecution panel has yet to finish its preliminary investigation of the murder complaint.

“Let’s not delay this any longer. We hope to see the case being heard in court and that Pemberton will be jailed,” Marilou said.

The prosecution team earlier said it would take them at least three weeks from Nov. 5, when its members inspected the motel and disco bar where Laude and Pemberton were seen, to finish the preliminary probe.

Laude was found dead in a motel bathroom here on the night of Oct. 11, minutes after her companion, who witnesses identified as Pemberton, left their room.

Pemberton is being held at a facility overseen by the Philippine and US governments inside Armed Forces of the Philippines headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

In time for the 40th day of Laude’s death, lawyer Virgie Suarez, one of the Laude family’s lawyers, said she started the “All of me” campaign to express her resolve to get justice for Laude.

Suarez said she posted a photo of herself on her Facebook account, carrying a placard that read, “I am Jennifer …. I give my all for justice!”