"Siyempre, bata pa yan. Siguro pagkatapos niyang ma-realize kung ano yung ginawa niya, nalungkot siya talaga," AFP spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla said.
Padilla said Pemberton is being closely monitored to prevent the possibility of him wanting to hurt himself, or worse.
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. earlier said that a fellow US Marine was detailed with him inside his detention cell, to prevent him from committing suicide.
A source said it gravely affected Pemberton emotionally when he realized that his actions had tarnished the name of his unit and the rest of the US Marine Corps. This, apart from realizing the gravity of the case that he now has to face.
The Philippine military also declined to say whether there were any preparations being done for the possible transfer of Pemberton to a different detention cell, saying all decisions will emanate from the Visiting Forces Commission, as agreed upon by both the governments of the Philippines and the United States.
Pemberton was reportedly on furlough after participating in a naval drill between Filipino and US forces in Zambales, when he allegedly killed 26-year-old Laude in Room 1 of Celzone Lodge on Magsaysay Boulevard, Olongapo City.
The charge sheet against Pemberton released on Monday detailed what the prosecutors said was an unprovoked and relentless attack against a defenseless victim.
"Respondent Pemberton choked Jennifer from behind. Obviously, in that position, Jennifer was deprived of the opportunity to defend herself," the six-member prosecutors panel said in the charge sheet.
"Undeniably, respondent (Pemberton) made sure that Jennifer was dead. He did not stop at badly beating her up and choking her, he made sure she suffered to her death.
"He deliberately and repeatedly plunged her head down the toilet until she breathed her last." With Agence France Presse
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
