A Philippine prosecutor Monday filed a formal murder charge against a US Marine accused of killing a transgender in the city of Olongapo.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that the Olongapo Prosecutor's Office has found probable cause to file the case against US Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton in connection with the death of Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude in October, Xinhua reported.
"We now await the decision of the court on the issue of probable cause and for the next steps to proceed," Lacierda said.
"We look forward to the full cooperation of the US government in ensuring that justice is secured" for Laude under the Philippine-US Visiting Forces Agreement, he added.