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Photos | Campaign for #Justice4Jennifer, #junkVFA gains momentum


Social and traditional media are abuzz with stories about protest actions and activities of groups from different sectors and even those abroad that call for justice for Jennifer Laude, a transgender woman murdered in an Olongapo City hotel last week. Police said the main suspect is a US Marine, Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton, […]

PW social icon Social and traditional media are abuzz with stories about protest actions and activities of groups from different sectors and even those abroad that call for justice for Jennifer Laude, a transgender woman murdered in an Olongapo City hotel last week.

Police said the main suspect is a US Marine, Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton, one of about 4,000 US soldiers who participated in joint military exercises of PH and US militaries more than a week ago. As of this writing, Pemberton is reportedly being held in an American amphibious ship, USS Peleliu, docked in Subic Bay port.

But US military authorities have so far not turned over the suspect to local police. Activist groups, including LGBT groups, have pressed the Aquino government to assert criminal jurisdiction over the suspect, including custody of Pemberton. They fear a reprise of the Subic rape case may happen — that is, the US government again may refuse custody of one of its soldiers suspected of committing a gruesome crime in the Philippines.

Laude’s case, the groups say, is only one of many that prove the lopsidedness of the PH-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), as well as the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), in favor of the US government.

Here are images of calls for justice for Jennifer Laude and junking of the VFA:

Olongapo City -- Julieta Cabillan, mother of Jennifer Laude, mourns. <strong>Macky Macaspac</strong>
Olongapo City — Julieta Cabillan, mother of Jennifer Laude, mourns. Macky Macaspac
Progressive groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) marched to the US embassy to express their call to junk PH-US military agreements such as the Visiting Forces Agreement and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement that are lopsided in favor of the US government and prone to abuse. <strong>Southern Tagalog Exposure</strong>
Progressive groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) marched to the US embassy to express their call to junk PH-US military agreements such as the Visiting Forces Agreement and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement that are lopsided in favor of the US government and prone to abuse. Southern Tagalog Exposure
Bayan-USA, together with Gabriela-USA and other Filipino groups in the US and including members of Filipino LGBT community there, staged many solidarity actions calling for justice for Jennifer Laude. <strong>Irma Bajar/Gabriela USA</strong>
Bayan-USA, together with Gabriela-USA and other Filipino groups in the US and including members of Filipino LGBT community there, staged many solidarity actions calling for justice for Jennifer Laude. Irma Bajar/Gabriela USA
Members of the University of the Philippines (UP) community in Diliman, Quezon City staged a protest action in front of UP's Palma Hall to press for justice for Jennifer Laude and an end to US imperialism. <strong>Mykel Andrada</strong>
Members of the University of the Philippines (UP) community in Diliman, Quezon City staged a protest action in front of UP’s Palma Hall to press for justice for Jennifer Laude and an end to US imperialism. Mykel Andrada
Various groups and advocates led by Gabriela held a meeting to form a network to press for justice for Jennifer Laude and junking of the PH-US Visiting Forces Agreement and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. <strong>KR Guda</strong>
Various groups and advocates led by Gabriela held a meeting to form a network to press for justice for Jennifer Laude and junking of the PH-US Visiting Forces Agreement and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. KR Guda
Advocates light candles to press for justice. <strong>KR Guda</strong>
Advocates light candles to press for justice in Boy Scout Rotunda, Quezon City. KR Guda