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Two decades after the U.S. Navy left the Philippines, Subic Bay is a quiet, seaside town, but many of the facilities built by the Americans remain in place. Many Filipinos are hoping a larger American presence will help the Armed Forces of Philippines convert from a counterinsurgency force to one directed at external threats. | |
Stars and Stripes
Published: October 22, 2014
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — A U.S. Marine suspected in the death of a transgender woman in the Philippines has been transferred from custody on an American ship to a Filipino military base.
Local police have filed a murder complaint against the Marine — Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton — who was seen entering the Celzone Lodge in Olongapo City on Oct. 11 with Jeffrey Laude, 26, also known as Jennifer. Laude’s naked body was discovered in a hotel bathroom a short time later.
In a news release Wednesday, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific — which has yet to confirm that Pemberton is in custody — announced that a suspect had been transferred from the USS Peleliu to a holding location at Camp Aguinaldo, the military headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Quezon City.
“The Marine will remain in the custody of the United States pursuant to the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the Republic of the Philippines,” Marine Corps spokesman Col. Brad Bartelt said in the news release.
A joint investigation of the death by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and Philippine National Police is ongoing, Bartelt said.
The suspect, who is assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., will remain in the Philippines during the investigation of the death and any judicial proceedings, he said.
“The Marine Corps is working closely and cooperating fully with Philippine authorities to ensure a thorough investigation is completed and due process of law is followed,” Bartelt said.
With the transfer of the suspect, the commander of U.S. Pacific Command, Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III, has authorized the Peleliu to depart Subic Bay, he said.
robson.seth@stripes.com
Twitter: @SethRobson1
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