A lineup of suspects—all of them US Marines—have been presented for witnesses to identify the person who could be responsible for the killing of a transgender woman in Olongapo City on Saturday, the Philippine National Police in Central Luzon said on Monday.
Transgender woman Jeffrey Laude was found dead in an Olongapo City inn over the weekend. She was reported to have been seen with a foreigner before her death.
Chief Superintendent Raul Petrasanta, the police regional director in Central Luzon, said local police and the US Naval Criminal Investigative Service conducted a briefing "to give the identity of the suspect."
"Kasalukuyan pa lang briefing with NCIS [representatives] to give the identity of the suspect. We will release it as soon as possible," Petrasanta said.
"Police lineup pa lang pina-identify sa witness and all of them belong to the US Marines," he said.
"Police lineup pa lang pina-identify sa witness and all of them belong to the US Marines," he said.
A witness said Jeffrey was last seen with an American, who didn't give his name but who said he came from the "Peleliu ship," a report on GMA News' "24 Oras" said.
One of the US Navy ships that figured in a recent joint military exercise in the country is the USS Peleliu.
One of the US Navy ships that figured in a recent joint military exercise in the country is the USS Peleliu.
The Olongapo Police said it would request for the custody of the suspect once he was identified.
A source, however, said that the issue of custody may only be brought up if the case would be brought before the courts.
A source, however, said that the issue of custody may only be brought up if the case would be brought before the courts.
Earlier on Monday, the US Embassy in Manila disclosed that the "possible suspect" in the killing may have been a US Marine.
A report on "24 Oras" showed that the 26-year-old victim, who also used the the name "Jennifer Ganda," was found dead inside the toilet of a room at the Celfone Lodge in Olongapo City on Saturday night.
The victim was found slumped on the floor while her face was in the toilet bowl. A room attendant saw her lifeless about an hour after her companion left the lodge. The suspect left the door unlocked.
"Meron kaming na-notice na mga injuries especially doon sa mukha niya, sa part ng leeg niya, at sa dibdib kaya possible na inano siya sa toilet bowl, nilunod siya roon," Chief Inspector Gil Domingo of the Olongapo City Police Station 3 said in a report aired at GMA's "24 Oras."
A photo grab from a CCTV footage showed the victim with a foreign companion exiting a bar called Ambyanz Night Life.
The two walked across the street and checked in at the lodge around 10:55 pm, the television report said.
After an hour, Jennifer's body was found by the room attendant who was supposed to clean the room.
Police investigators said two used condoms were found in the bathroom.
"Maaring na-find out ng suspek na 'yung nakuha niyang partner is transgender. Maaring ito ang kanilang pinag-awayan o ito na 'yung ikina-pikon kaya nagawa niya itong krimen na ito," Domingo said.
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