Two United States Navy
warships were locked down Monday after an American Marine was confirmed to have
been detained for the killing of a Filipino transgender in Olongapo City.
The amphibious assault
ship USS Peleliu and amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown have been
docked at the Subic Bay Freeport since September 27 for the US-Philippines
Amphibious Landing Exercise, or PHIBLEX.
Former Armed Forces
chief Eduardo Oban Jr, chairman of the Visiting Forces Agreement Commission,
said in radio reports that the lock down was ordered as the US Naval Criminal
Investigative Service started its probe on the incident.
Admiral Samuel Locklear,
commander of the US Pacific Command, also ordered the ships to stay in
Philippine waters for an indefinite period, Oban said.
The Philippine National
Police, meanwhile, is leading the investigation.
Following reports from a
foreign publication, the US Embassy in Manila also confirmed on Monday that the
still unidentified serviceman was held as suspect for the asphyxiation and
killing of 26-year-old Jeffrey Laude, whose body was found in a lodge last
Saturday.
The Marine is reportedly
detained aboard USS Peleliu.
In a statement, the US
Embassy in Manila vowed that Washington will "continue to fully cooperate
with Philippine law enforcement authorities in every aspect of the
investigation."
Three other soldiers
from the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine unit were held in custody as possible
witnesses to the crime.
Written By -
Camille Diola
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