U.S. to keep custody of marine suspect in Philippines transgender murder case
The United States will keep custody of a Marine named as a suspect in the murder of a transgender Filipino he met in a bar, the head of the Philippine military said on Tuesday, with one U.S. warship staying on during the investigation of the crime.
The commander of U.S. Pacific Command this week ordered the USS Peleliu and another warship to stay in the former U.S. base of Subic Bay until after the end of the investigation into the murder of Jeffrey Laude, 26, who was found strangled on Saturday in nearby Olongapo City.
U.S. troops have been taking part in a 10-day military exercise with the Philippines. Four other U.S. ships in Subic Bay that were not part of the exercise were allowed to leave.
"Under the Visiting Forces Agreement, the custody of the erring soldier stays with the Americans," General Gregorio Catapang said after meeting the U.S. Pacific commander, Admiral Samuel Locklear.
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http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/14/us-philippines-usa-idUSKCN0I313K20141014
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