Philippines subpoenas US Marine murder suspect

U.S. Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton (Facebook photo)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government has served a subpoena for a U.S. Marine accused of killing a transgender Filipino in an emotional case expected to test the country’s military ties with the United States.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said subpoenas for Marine Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton and four other U.S. Marines sought as witnesses in the case were delivered Friday to the U.S. Embassy.

On Wednesday, police filed a murder complaint with prosecutors against Pemberton, who allegedly checked into a motel on Saturday with the victim, Jennifer Laude, after meeting her in a bar in Olongapo, northwest of Manila. Police said Laude was found with her head resting on the motel room’s toilet bowl, apparently after being drowned.