"Protesters demand Philippine custody of US Marine" Associated Press October 15, 2014
MANILA — Dozens of activists burned a mock US flag as they protested at the US Embassy in Manila on Tuesday, demanding that Washington hand over to the Philippines a US Marine suspected in the killing of a transgender Filipino.
Jeffrey Laude, 26, was found dead, apparently strangled and drowned, beside a toilet bowl in a motel room in Olongapo city, northwest of Manila, shortly after he checked in late Saturday, allegedly with a Marine.
Police said they have identified the Marine suspect. Authorities will file a murder complaint against him with prosecutors on Wednesday, national police spokesman Wilben Mayor said.
US Marine spokesman Colonel Brad Bartelt said a Marine was being held on board the USS Peleliu in the Subic Bay free port, about 50 miles northwest of Manila, in connection with a joint US Navy and Philippine police investigation into Laude’s death.
Related: Obama Forces Philippines to Reopen Subic Bay
Looks like rape to me.
About 3,000 US Marines and Navy sailors concluded two weeks of military exercises with Filipino counterparts last Friday and were to leave the Philippines this week.
Related: US, Philippines hold joint military exercises
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"Philippine police accuse US Marine in murder case" by Jim Gomez | Associated Press October 16, 2014
MANILA — Philippine police filed a murder complaint Wednesday against a US Marine accused of killing a transgender Filipino, in an emotional case expected to test the country’s military ties with the United States.
Police Chief Inspector Gil Domingo said Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton was the last person seen with the victim late Saturday, when they checked into a motel after meeting in a bar in Olongapo, a city northwest of Manila.
This is looking like a case of prostitution with the Marine surprised at what he found.
Jennifer Laude, whose former name was Jeffrey, was found with her head resting on the motel room’s toilet bowl, apparently after being drowned, Domingo said. The criminal complaint was filed with prosecutors, who will decide formal charges. There was no immediate comment from the US Embassy.
A number of witnesses told investigators they saw Laude, 26, and Pemberton at the bar and at the motel, where the Marine was seen leaving shortly before the victim was found dead, Domingo said.
Police suspect Pemberton may have been angered when he discovered in the motel room that Laude was a transgender individual, or because of an argument sparked by other reasons. Laude had not undergone gender reassignment surgery, Domingo said.
Pemberton, who took part in combat exercises last week involving thousands of American and Filipino troops, is being held on the USS Peleliu in the Subic Bay free port, about 50 miles northwest of Manila, according to US military officials.
Admiral Samuel Locklear, head of the US Pacific Command, was in Manila early this week for annual security talks with Philippine defense officials, and initially ordered the Peleliu and other Navy ships to stay in the Philippines pending an investigation into the killing. All of the ships except the Peleliu have since been cleared to leave the country while the investigation progresses, according to Philippine officials.
‘‘We will continue to cooperate fully with the Philippine law enforcement authorities in every aspect of the investigation,’’ State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in Washington.
Dozens of activists burned a mock US flag in a protest at the US Embassy on Tuesday, and demanded that Washington hand over Pemberton to Philippine authorities.
They also called for abolishment of the Visiting Forces Agreement, which allows the US military to join large-scale combat exercises with Filipino troops, and permits the United States to take custody of personnel who run afoul of Philippine laws.
The murder case emerged as security ties were blossoming between the United States and the Philippines, which have both been vocal critics of China’s expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea. The longtime military allies signed a new accord in April that allows the US military greater access to Philippine facilities.
‘‘This is another test case of how strong and important this alliance is,’’ political analyst Renato de Castro said.
The United States and the Philippines disagreed over the custody of another Marine in an earlier criminal case.
The Marine was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of raping a Filipino woman in 2005, but a Philippine appeals court overturned the verdict in 2009, allowing him to leave the country amid anti-United States demonstrations.
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Also see: Philippines seizes 15 paintings from Marcos family
