Guard pushed by Laude’s fiancé gets kudos from AFP chief

Armed Forces of the Philippines' Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr lauded a non-commissioned officer who was deployed to guard US Marine Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton, suspect in the killing of Filipino transgender woman Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude in Olongapo City last October 11.

In a press statement, the AFP said Technical Sergeant Mariano Pamittan will be cited "for his professionalism and restraint" during a tense incident at the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board facility in Camp Aguinaldo, where Pemberton was transferred last Wednesday.

Pamittan was the on-duty soldier guarding the outer part of the facility when Marc Sueselbeck, the fiancé of Jennifer Laude, and the victim's sister Marilou climbed a fence at Camp Aguinaldo in an attempt to confront Pemberton.

Sueselbeck was seen on television reports pushing the Filipino soldier aside.

The AFP said Catapang has ordered that Pamittan be recognized at the flag-raising ceremony on Monday.

Last Friday, AFP Public Affairs Office Chief Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc quoted the chief of staff as saying "[I] want Sueselbeck deported and be declared an undesirable alien" because of the "pushing" incident.

"He assaulted not only a Filipino soldier but also the dignity of the country as a whole,” Cabunoc added, quoting Catapang.

AFP should understand

But in a text message to GMA News Online on Saturday, Laude family's lawyer Harry Roque said the military should take into consideration Sueselbeck's grief.

"[The] issue is closed as far as we are concerned. Marc had apologized and the AFP should understand his bereavement," he added.

Sueselbeck arrived in the country last Monday to pay his last respects to Laude. The two reportedly met online in 2012.

According to Sueselbeck, he and Laude had planned to get married next year after he proposed to Laude in December 2013. — LBG, GMA News