[ad_1]
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has received the order granting absolute clemency to the US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton and has started the process to release him.
BuCor spokesman Gabriel Chaclag said on Thursday, September 10, 2020 that the Justice Department sent a copy of the absolute pardon granted to Pemberton by President Rodrigo Duterte.
“BuCor is now in coordination with the relevant agencies that are involved in the process,” he said.
Pemberton will undergo the normal process of releasing a person deprived of liberty who is granted clemency. Chaclag did not elaborate, but said the process generally takes days.
Upon his release from detention, Pemberton will be immediately deported based on the deportation order issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) against him on September 16, 2015 for being an undesirable alien.
Pemberton was convicted of murder for the murder of Filipina transgender Jennifer Laude in October 2014.
He was sentenced in December 2015 to a prison term of six to 10 years and has been detained at Aguinaldo Camp, as his detention is covered by the Visiting Armed Forces of the Agreement between the Philippines and the United States.
However, the Olongapo City Court of First Instance ordered his release in an order issued on September 1, 2020, saying that he has served more than 10 years, including the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) given to him. granted.
The court said Pemberton has already spent more than five years and eight months in prison and credited him with 1,548 GCTA days or more than four years, yielding a cumulative jail time of 10 years, one month and 10 days.
Following discussions on whether or not Pemberton was eligible for GCTA, President Duterte announced on Monday that he has decided to grant Pemberton full pardon.
He said the American soldier has not been treated fairly. (SunStar Philippines)
[ad_2]
