MANILA, Philippines–A US Marine allegedly involved in the killing of a Filipino transgender is reportedly being detained on board a US ship while being investigated by both the US Navy authorities and the Philippine Police.
The detention of the Marine, who was not identified, was reported by Marine Corps Times website based on a Navy memo it obtained.
The victim, identified as Jeffrey Laude, 26, was apparently strangled to death after checking into a room at the Celzone Lodge late Saturday evening with a “male, white foreigner,” police reports said.
Three other Marines in the same unit as the suspect, believed to be potential witnesses, have also been detained as the Naval Criminal Investigative Service conducts an investigation.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is still awaiting the official report from investigating authorities regarding the case.
“We have received an initial report of the incident and an investigation on going. We are awaiting results of investigation,” DFA spokesman Assistant Secretary Charles Jose said in a briefing Monday.
“On the part of the DFA we are committed to do our part to ensure that justice is served,” he said.
The DFA, however, said it does not have a direct involvement in the investigation and will not yet comment on hypothetical scenarios.
The US Embassy, in a statement, has said that it will cooperate with the Philippine National Police in its investigation on the case.
Around 1,400 US troops on board two US ships are docked in Subic for military exercises.
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