ADM. Samuel Locklear, US Pacific Command chief, has ordered that “no ship or servicemen will leave the Philippines pending investigation [of the killing of a transgender.”
Locklear’s order was issued in relation to the death of a Filipino transgender in Olongapo City over the weekend.
Retired Gen. Eduardo Oban, executive director of the Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement, revealed Locklear’s statement to some members of the media covering the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The US Embassy in Manila, on the other hand, offered “its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jeffrey Laude,” even as it confirmed that a US soldier “has been identified as a possible suspect in the
ongoing investigation.”
“The United States will continue to fully cooperate with Philippine law- enforcement authorities in every aspect of the investigation,” the embassy statement said.
News reports has said the suspect is from 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
He is reported being held onboard the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu while agents with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service pieced together what happened last Saturday night at the Celzone Lodge in Olongapo City. DFA Spokesman Charles Jose said the department is waiting for the official result of the investigation before he could
comment on the case.
“There is no official investigation yet, although we heard that the suspect is a foreign national,” Jose said during a media briefing.
However, news reports quoting the Marine Corps Times said that a US Marine participating in a joint training exercise with the Philippine military has been detained onboard an American ship following the killing of a Filipino transgender in Olongapo City over the weekend.
The report cited an internal Navy memo on the matter.
It added that, “three other Marines from the same unit, described as potential witnesses, also have been detained aboard the ship.
The memo was distributed to dozens of senior Navy officials, as well as NCIS and State Department personnel.
The Marines’ unit is participating in the Phiblex 15 exercises.
USS Peleliu, on the other hand, is on port call at Subic Bay until Tuesday. Bagong Alyansang Makabayan immediately demanded that the Marine immediately be handed over to local authorities.
“A Filipino was killed. This merits the assertion of our laws, in the interest of justice,” Bayan Secretary-General Renato Reyes Jr. said, adding that President Aquino “should not junk national interest and justice just because he’s eager to implement” the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the US, which allows increased American military presence in the country.
Party-list Rep. Emmi de Jesus of Gabriela said in a statement that Philippine law should prevail in the investigation of the US serviceman and challenged Mr. Aquino to “insist that the suspect face a Philippine court and not allow the VFA to trample on our sovereignty.”
Vencer Crisostomo demanded that the government stop the Peleliu from leaving and arrest the US serviceman allegedly involved in the killing.
Reports from the Olongapo-based organization Pagkakaisa ng Kababaihan said Laude, who used the name “Jennifer Laude,” was picked up from the Ambyanz Disco Bar last Saturday night and taken to the local lodge where he was found dead around 1 a.m. Sunday.
(With Marvyn N. Benaning)