Murder charges were filed on Monday by prosecutors in the Philippines against a US marine in the death of a transgender woman.
This comes after 26-year-old Jennifer Laude Sueselbeck was found strangled in October, naked with her head in a toilet near a US Navy Base.
US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton – who was one of hundreds of US marines in the area for a training exercise – was formally charged of the woman’s murder a few days later.
Pemberton’s lawyer later filed a motion to “declare the absence of probable cause for murder or any other crime”.
The head of public prosecution today announced that a lawsuit had been filed, saying there was a strong case after a review of evidence.
The court, in Olongapo City, which is handling the case, is expected to issue an arrest warrant for Pemberton this week.
A witness has claimed Laude’s body was discovered after she shared a room alone with Pemberton at Celzone lodge.
Pemberton failed to make an appearance during preliminary investigation in October.
Politicians in the Philippines are pushing for a tougher anti-discrimination law following the incident, which has also stirred anti-US sentiment.
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