MOSCOW, October 14 (RIA Novosti) — A 26-year-old transgender Filipino was found dead in a hotel in the city of Olongapo supposedly throttled by a US Marine deployed to the Philippines for a military exercise, Daily News reports.
“A US Marine has been identified as a possible suspect in the ongoing investigation,” the US Embassy said in a statement, cited by Daily Mail. “The United States will continue to fully cooperate with Philippine law enforcement authorities in every aspect of the investigation.”
The suspect allegedly met the transgender woman, known by the name of Jennifer Laude, in an Olongapo night club. He is reported to have murdered her later in a hotel room after found out that his new acquaintance was anatomically a male in the past.
The presence of the US forces in the Philippines has been welcomed by the Philippine government, as the country has faced a territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea. As reported by Bloomberg, Philippine authorities have signed a 10-year security pact according to which the US is allowed to boost its military presence in the country and obliged to defend it in the case of attack. However, according to the Philippine Gabriela Women's Party, the US presence has had a negative impact on the Philippine population, aggravating instances of sexual violence, drug trafficking and the spread of infections, Daily Mail reports.
The alleged murderer is currently detained on a war ship. Under Philippine Law, he can be punished with up to 12 years imprisonment.
