Various groups on Friday commemorated the 10th death anniversary of Jennifer Laude and called to end the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States.
At the University of the Philippines, film organization UP Cinema and various progressive groups gathered at the UP Oblation to light candles and continue seeking justice for Laude’s death.
The groups sought justice as former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2020 granted US Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton an “absolute pardon” despite the latter being convicted of homicide in 2015 for Laude’s death. Pemberton served just over half of his 10-year sentence.
Laude, a 26-year-old transwoman, was found dead in a motel room in Olongapo City on Oct. 11, 2014, with her head submerged in the toilet and with bruises and abrasions all over her body.
UP Cinema held a free screening of the 2018 film “Call Her Ganda” by PJ Raval. According to transwoman Elle Buntag, they are also planning to organize film screenings in various schools to raise awareness about the injustice surrounding Laude’s death.
Buntag explained in Filipino that the Philippine government should end the VFA and EDCA with the US: “Laude’s case is a huge conversation, and it is important for today’s youth to understand why American military presence in the country is unjust, as well as their role in seeking justice for the death of Laude and all the victims of American soldiers, many of whose names we don’t know but we nonetheless realize it happened.”
Similarly, students from the Technological University of the Philippines Manila held a candlelight protest against rights violations and Laude’s death.
