MANILA, Nov. 30, 2015— A Catholic priest asked the public to let justice take its course as the court is set to release its verdict for a detained US marine accused of killing a Filipino transgender.
Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the CBCP Committee on Public Affairs, said justice has been served when the guilty are punished and the innocent go free.
“Let justice takes its course. The guilty should be punished and the innocent be freed,” Secillano said.
A court in Olongapo City will release its verdict on Tuesday, Dec. 1, on whether Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton had murdered Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude.
The priest also said whatever the outcome is, the case should stand on its merits.
“Power and money should not be used for doing what is wrong. We should always choose the moral high ground,” Secillano said.
“In the same way, poverty should not also be an excuse for fighting for our rights. The poor, like Jennifer Laude, must not be victims twice over. Poverty should not stand in the way for seeking justice,” he added. (CBCP News)
