The marine from the United States who is the suspect in the killing of a transgender in the Philippines was not present during the hearing on Tuesday as his lawyer pressed that her client's presence was not needed at the preliminary hearing.

Because Pte First Class Joseph Pemberton failed to attend the hearing, protesters who are fighting for justice for Jeffrey Laude's death expressed their concerns that the marine might evade justice. They called on the officials of the U.S. to take action regarding the issue.

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Julita, the victim's mother, told the media that she hopes the Americans will bring Pemberton out as they are overprotecting a "worthless man".

Pemberton's legal counsel, Rowena Garcia Flores, told the officials handling the case that her client is still studying the allegations thrown against him. However, chief prosecutor Fe de los Santos noted that the marine was ordered to attend the recent hearing and demanded that the suspect should attend the next hearing set on October 27.

Pemberton has been accused of murdering Laude in Olangapo City after a witness has pinpointed Pemberton as the last person who was seen with Laude hours before his murder, police officials confirmed.

Laude, also known as Jennifer, was found dead due to asphyxiation in the bathroom of a hotel room that the two have checked in an hour before he was murdered on October 12.

De los Santos pressed that the attendance of the marine will serve as a great assessment of the U.S. government's willingness to comply with the law and provisions stated under the Visiting Forces Agreement.

According to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, the government does not seek any special privilege for Pemberton but stressed that they wanted to protect the marine's rights.

Meanwhile, Philippine President Benigno Aquino assured on Monday that the said crime will not affect the ties of his country with that of the United States. 

TagsU.S. Marine, transgender, Joseph Pemberton, Jeffrey Laude, Murder