Philippines Could Seek Custody of U.S. Marine in Transgender Slay

Philippines Could Seek Custody of US Marine in Transgender Slay (ABS-CBN)

MANILA - An international law expert believes the Philippine government can seek custody of a US Marine who is being linked to the murder of a transgender in Olongapo City over the weekend.

Lawyer Harry Roque said the Supreme Court had already ruled that a soldier of a foreign country found guilty of violating the Philippines' Revised Penal Code should be placed under the custody of the Philippine government.

He cited the case of Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith who was found guilty of rape and jailed in Makati, only to be transferred to the US Embassy on the basis of an agreement between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the US ambassador. Smith was later released after the victim recanted.