US refuses to hand over marine accused of killing transgender Filipino
Source: Reuters
US refuses to hand over marine accused of killing transgender Filipino
Reuters in Manila
theguardian.com, Wednesday 17 December 2014 13.58 GMT
The United States embassy in Manila has turned down a request from Philippine authorities to hand over a marine accused of the killing of a transgender Filipino, a move that could spark anti-American protest in the former US colony.
The marine, Joseph Scott Pemberton, who is being held at a US facility at the main Philippine army base, was charged with the murder of Jeffrey Laude, known as Jennifer, who was found dead on 11 October in a hotel in Olongapo City, north-west of the capital.
The United States will retain custody of Pemberton as provided by the United States-Philippine Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), the embassy said in a statement on Wednesday.
The United States has the right to retain custody of a suspect from the commission of the alleged offense until completion of all judicial proceedings.
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http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/17/us-refuses-hand-over-marine-transgender-filipino-philippines