Here we go again
This is something the country does not need right now. Is this another Daniel Smith type of case, one that will test the Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and the US? A transgender was found naked and dead inside the bathroom of a motel in Olongapo City. CCTV footage showed that Jeffrey Laude, alias "Jennifer", checked-in at the motel with a male Caucasian around eleven in the evening of October 11. Forty-five minutes later, the male Caucasian leaves the motel. Motel cleaning staff discovered the lifeless body of Laude, along with some used condoms near the body. Laude's belongings were accounted for, ruling robbery as the motive for the killing. Initial investigation shows that Laude was strangled to death.
The male Caucasian, who turned out to be a US Marine, along with three other companions that night are now in custody at the USS Peliliu, an amphibious assault carrier anchored at Subic Bay. The ship is part of an American military contingent participating in a joint US-Philippine military exercise. Admiral Samuel Locklear has ordered the USS Peleliu and another ship to stay behind and not leave the country until the investigation into the death of Laude has concluded. There is an ongoing joint investigation by the PNP and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. DFA Sec. Albert del Rosario has already met with US Embassy officials, who admitted that the principal suspect in the murder of Laude is a US Marine.
As per the VFA, American servicemen criminally accused are to remain in the custody of the US, but the investigation itself is under the jurisdiction of the Philippines. Many are now calling for the imprisonment of the suspect in a local jail cell, citing how the VFA is flawed. This case will definitely provide ammunition to those who opposed the VFA, which was signed in 1999. Many say that the VFA is totally disadvantageous to the country, as it provides too much protection for servicemen involved in crimes committed in the country.
If you will recall, Daniel Smith was accused by Suzette Nicolas of raping her. A legal battle ensued, with custody of Smith becoming a prime issue. At first, Smith was held at Makati but was transferred to the US Embassy. Although found guilty of the crime, he was set free after the victim recanted, in what was seen as a deal for Smith's freedom in exchange for US citizenship for Nicolas.
DFA Sec. Albert del Rosario has promised justice for Laude, and that the guilty parties will be punished according to Philippine Law. In this case, there is no one to recant the story. Forensic evidence will do all the talking as CCTV footage has already established the US Marine to be at the scene of the crime.
I really cannot understand what these soldiers think they can get away with in the country. Is it that easy to kill a local national? Do they believe that the US will protect them from anything or everything? Imagine the inconvenience one criminal action of one stupid Marine on the rest of the crew of a warship. No, two warships! How long is this going to drag out? The Daniel Smith took more than three years, only to amount to nothing. Are we to expect the same with this? Really, shouldn't the country have custody of the suspect as this is already murder, a heinous crime?
Or will it end in another deal?
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