Officials from the US Embassy in Manila have confirmed that an American Marine was “identified as a possible suspect” in Sunday’s slaying of a Filipino transgender person in the city of Olongapo, after joint military exercises were held between the US and the Philippines.
“The United States will continue to fully cooperate with Philippine law enforcement authorities in every aspect of the investigation,” a US embassy statement read.
An investigation into the killing of Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude is currently being conducted by Philippine authorities. Laude, a transgender, was found dead in a hotel room in Olongapo.
In an interview with the AFP, police investigator Mary Ann Sadaba said that hotel staff last saw Laude checking into the establishment with a still unidentified man, described as having close-cropped blonde hair and of medium build.
An hour after the pair checked in, the foreign man casually walked out of the hotel, without settling the bill. This alerted staff members to inspect the room, where they found Laude’s lifeless body on the bathroom floor. The victim, who was dressed as woman, had marks on the neck area.
Sadaba said that the neck injuries imply strangulation, but added that further investigation still needs to be conducted.
“The foreigner is a suspect because he was the last person seen with the victim,” she added.
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said that US Pacific Command Chief Admiral Samuel Locklear has guaranteed that “until there is clarity to the situation,” the US warships involved in the joint exercises would remain in the Philippines.
“It’s tragic but we will work together in terms of being able to deliver what’s just,” Del Rosario said.
Philippine military spokesman Major General Domingo Tutaan said that the suspect is part of the 3,500-member US contingent that participated in amphibious drills with Filipino military personnel from September 29-October 10 in Olongapo City.
The Americans’ departure was delayed by poor weather conditions caused by a powerful typhoon, Tutaan noted.