Task group to probe killing of Filipino transgender

MANILA, Philippines – A special investigation task group has been formed to investigate the killing of a Filipino transgender in Olongapo City last Saturday, allegedly perpetrated by a United States serviceman.

Chief Supt. Raul Petrasanta, regional director for Central Luzon, said the local police have briefed representatives from the US Embassy and the US Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) about the death of Jeffrey Laude, whose body was found in a hotel room.

“There was a police line up and all of them belong to the US Marines. We asked the witness to identify (the suspect),” Petrasanta said on Monday.

However, the police official declined to give the identity of the suspect on Monday, saying police investigators were still briefing the NCIS on the situation.

“We will release it as soon as possible,” Petrasanta said.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group will be part of the special investigation task group on the murder, which will include the Olongapo City police.

Chief Insp. Elizabeth Jasmin, CIDG spokesperson, said that the suspect was believed to be a US serviceman but said they did not have the identity of the suspect yet, as of Monday.

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