Fridae

Government prosecutors in the Philippines have formally charged a US Marine with the murder of a Filipino transgender woman in the country.

The murder charge was filed Dec 15 after investigations and the suspect acknowledging to attacking the victim on learning that she was a transgender woman.

The body of Jeffrey Laude, also known as Jennifer, was found by hotel staff in the northern port city of Olongapo, less than an hour after the victim checked into a room with Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton who was then part of the 3,500-member US contingent in the Philippines conducting a joint military exercise.

Police say Laude was found lifeless Oct 11 at the bathroom floor with marks on the neck. Investigations suggested the victim had been strangled and drowned in the toilet bowl.

Various transgender groups have described the attack as a hate crime.

"It's murder… It was aggravated by treachery, abuse of superior strength and cruelty," Prosecutor Emilie de los Santos told reporters after filing the charge against Pemberton, 19-year-old skilled boxer.

Prosecutors in their statement said Pemberton and some of his colleagues who went bar-hopping picked up women at a bar and checked in at nearby motels. Witnesses saw Pemberton check in with Laude at a motel room, where he was seen leaving just before the body was discovered.

Three colleagues who went out with Pemberton that night acknowledged that the suspect said he choked the victim after discovering that she was a transgender woman when she undressed, prosecutors said. "I think I killed a he/she," Pemberton was quoted as telling a colleague.

The United States had acquiesced to the Philippine authorities’ demand that Pemberton wanted for the murder be handed over to them to be tried for the alleged crime. The marine was then incarcerated at the military headquarters in Manila guarded by US marines with Philippine military guards posted outside the compound.

This was being done in accordance with the Visiting Forces Agreement signed by the two allies in 1998 that covers legal liability of US forces in the Philippines. The agreement gives the Philippines jurisdiction over US troops who commit crimes not linked to their official duties but whose custody will remain with the US government.

Nonetheless, the murder raises new tensions between the United States and the Philippines, a former colony and ally. Despite some strong local popular sentiments to the contrary, the Philippines went ahead and signed a defense accord allowing greater US access to Philippine military camps.