Philippines: US marine detained over murder of trans woman in Olongapo
A US marine has been detained over the murder of a transgender woman found in the city of Olongapo.
According to the Marine Corps Times, the marine, whose identity has not been released, is being held on board the amphibious assault ship Peleliu.
It comes after 26-year-old Jennifer Laude Sueselbeck was found dead by strangulation on Saturday night, with her head in the toilet.
Police at the time said the suspect was wearing a white and blue striped shirt with white sleeves, black shorts, and a Marine haircut.
The detained marine is assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Three other potential witnesses from the same unit have also been detained aboard the ship.
Gabriela Women’s Party representative Emmi De Jesus told President Aquino to act quickly in apprehending the assailant.
She said: “I condemn the heinous barbarity behind the hate crime committed on the defenseless transgender woman involved in the prostitution trade.
“Gabriela maintains that US military basing in communities abetted by EDCA worsens prostitution, trafficking, drugs, and spread of diseases, and Aquino needs to listen to demands to scrap the agreement.”
