The Philippines yesterday described the murder of a transgender Filipino as an “isolated incident” that must not derail ties with Washington after a US Marine was identified as a suspect, sparking anti-US protests.
The discovery on Sunday of the murder in a northern city hosting thousands of US troops who took part in joint military exercises last week came amid talks aimed at raising the US military presence in the country.
A police document showed authorities were preparing to file murder charges against US Army Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton, identified by a witness as the last person seen with the victim, who was later found dead in a hotel room in Olongapo City.
“We call on all concerned not to lose sight of the bigger picture and to look at these [defense ties] as different issues,” Philippine Department of Defense spokesman Peter Paul Galvez said in a statement.
“This is an isolated incident, albeit a tragic one. If we don’t have assistance, we will never develop our capabilities,” he said.
The poorly equipped Philippine military is one of the weakest in the region. It has been boosting its alliance with the US, with which it has a mutual defense treaty, as part of efforts to upgrade its defense capabilities amid territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea.
In March, the Philippines and the US signed an accord that would allow US troops greater access to Philippine facilities in support of US President Barack Obama’s so-called pivot to Asia. However, construction of facilities to house the temporary US military presence has been held up by a legal challenge.
About 100 left-wing protesters staged a rally outside the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday, tying black ribbons on the compound’s gate and demanding the Philippine government take custody of the US suspect. A smaller anti-American protest was held outside the US embassy in Manila on Tuesday.
The suspect, along with several other US citizens deemed by Philippine police as potential witnesses have been detained at a US warship used in the military exercises. US Pacific Command chief Admiral Samuel Locklear has ordered the ship to remain at the port near Olongapo while the murder investigation is continuing.
Manila would seek custody of the suspect once charges are filed, Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose told reporters.
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