Protesters chant anti U.S. slogans during a rally against the killing of a 26-year-old Filipino transgender Jennifer Laude
Protesters chant anti U.S. slogans during a rally against the killing of a 26-year-old Filipino transgender Jennifer Laude, outside the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila October 15, 2014. The United States will keep custody of a Marine suspected in the murder of Jennifer Laude, whom he met in a bar, the head of the Philippine military said on Tuesday, and U.S. officials said a number of U.S. warships would remain in the country. REUTERS/Erik De Castro

Philippines police filed murder charges against a U.S. marine on Wednesday over the killing of a 26-year-old transgender Filipino. Police suspect that the Marine might have been angry to find out that the victim was a transgender.

Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton allegedly met Jeffrey Laude aka Jennifer in a bar outside former U.S. naval base of Subic Bay. Laude's lifeless body was later discovered in a hotel room in Olongapo City. According to Olongapo City Police Chief Pedrito delos Reyes, a "strong case" has been established against the U.S. Marine on the basis of "two witnesses." The Philippines government apparently wants Pemberton under its custody during his trial. The Guardian reported that a senior Philippine official indicated that the case could hurt the military alliance between Philippines and the United States.

The murder charges against Pemberton were filed after Laude's family and the witnesses had joined police officers and gone to the prosecutor's office. They had a copy of the autopsy report which confirmed that Laude's death had been caused by asphyxia by drowning. According to U.S. authorities, Pemberton was held aboard an amphibious assault ship called the USS Peleliu in Subic Bay.

Marine Corps Commandant General James Amos, on the other hand, refused to comment on the case in detail. He, nevertheless, called it a "huge tragedy" while he hoped that the case would not affect the relation Philippines had with the United States. "I know the matter has the potential to charge the atmosphere with regards to the relationship between us and the Philippine government," he said "and I hope it doesn't damage it because we have a very close relationship."

Police Chief Inspector Gil Domingo said that the U.S. Marine was the last person seen with Laude before the murder had taken place on Saturday. They reportedly checked into a motel where Laude was later found in the toilet while the head rested on the toilet bowl, CBS News reported. Several witnesses confirmed that Laude had been with Pemberton who apparently left the motel shortly after Laude had been found dead. According to Domingo, Laude did not undergo gender reassignment surgery.

According to police, Pemberton might have lost his cool when he came to know that the person he had gone to the motel with was a transgender. There could be some other reasons as well that might have caused an argument.

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@ibtimes.com.au