MANILA, Philippines (Eagle News Service) — President Benigno S. Aquino III sees no need to abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) just because of the “sin of one person”, as he referred to the killing of a Filipino transgender allegedly by a U.S. serviceman in Olongapo City.
The President made the remark in an interview in Palo, Leyte on Oct. 20 following the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the landing in the province of Allied forces led by General Douglas MacArthur during World War 2.
“Why do we need to abrogate the VFA? I mean, name me any place that doesn’t have crime. And the sin of one person should be reflective of the entire country? I don’t think so,” he said.
The President said what should be done is to seek justice for the death of Filipino transgender, Jeffrey Jennifer Laude, and that includes completing all the evidence to pin down the killer.
“What’s important is [that since] a crime has been committed, get all the evidence that will prove the guilt of the person behind this, and achieve justice,” Aquino said.
The chief executive also said that Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and United States Ambassador to Manila Philip Goldberg are working to resolve the issue.
Aquino also updated the media when he was asked about the government’s request to get custody of the suspect Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton.
He said the DFA and the US embassy are at the very least making sure that Pemberton or the “suspects are available for both investigation in any and all judicial processes.”
The President paid tribute on Monday to the country’s forefathers who fought and died during the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese rule. (ENS)
