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MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory on Thursday, November 6, took DNA samples from the US Marine accused of killing a Filipino transgender woman in Olongapo City last month, a military spokesman said.
Military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc said buccal swabs and fingerprints were obtained from US Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton inside Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
The procedure began at 1:58 pm and ended at 3:06 pm.
14 people, including Olongapo City Prosecutor Emilie Fe delos Santos, were present during the DNA gathering process, while Camp Commander Brigadier General Arthur Ang facilitated the entry of the group inside the facility.
The 19-year-old US soldier, accused of killing transgender woman Jennifer Laude, is detained in a detention facility inside the compound of the Joint US Military Assistance Group in Camp Aguinaldo.
Pemberton’s lawyer met with the US soldier early Thursday prior to the DNA testing procedure.
Witnesses identified Pemberton as the last person seen with the victim before she was found dead at a lodge in Olongapo City on October 11. He faces a murder complaint filed by the Laude family.
The Olongapo City Prosecutor’s Office is conducting a preliminary investigation to determine whether there is basis to charge Pemberton in court.
Prosecutors on Wednesday conducted an ocular investigation in Ambyanz Disco Bar and Celzone Lodge – the two sites where Laude was last seen alive by witnesses.
Witness Mark Clarence Gelviro, known as Barbie, earlier told police Laude checked in at Celzone Lodge with Pemberton on the night of October 11.
The lodge’s cashier later said he found Laude dead on the bathroom floor of Room Number 1 several minutes after Pemberton left the room.
Delos Santos earlier directed the PNP to process the results of the DNA testing and forensic analysis within 3 weeks.
Earlier Thursday, Laude’s camp filed an urgent motion asking the Olongapo Prosecutor’s Office to allow witness Barbie to be present during the DNA gathering procedure.
The prosecution panel denied the motion, according to a GMA News report. – Rappler.com
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