US Marine found guilty of killing transgender Filipino The U.S. Embassy said “all legal proceedings in the case took place under Philippine jurisdiction and law” and that “Pemberton fulfilled his sentence as ordered by Philippine courts.”On Monday, Duterte granted an “absolute and unconditional pardon” to Pemberton in a move that caught many by surprise.
The Philippine leader has long been a vocal critic of U.S. security policies while reaching out to China and Russia.Duterte’s pardon was condemned by left-wing and LGBTQ groups.Debate has brewed whether the Marine, whose detention was arranged under the treaty allies’ Visiting Forces Agreement, can be covered by a Philippine law that grants shorter jail terms to ordinary prisoners for.