Kerry on Olongapo slay: We don't seek special privilege

MANILA, Philippines — The United States does not seek undue favor in its arrangements with the Philippines, Washington's top diplomat said amid the controversy over the involvement of a US marine in the killing of a Filipino transgender in Olongapo City.

"The people of the Philippines who are gracious enough to permit an arrangement whereby we meet mutual interests with this kind of a force's presence need to know that we're not seeking a special privilege, that everybody's rights will be appropriately protected," US Secretary of State John Kerry said prior to a meeting with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Monday in Jakarta.

Kerry said that infractions committed by Americans in foreign soil have to be dealt with the rule of law as well as any agreement between the US and the host country.

The murder complaint against Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton for the alleged killing of transgender Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude prompted renewed calls to scrap the US-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement, which allows US troops to spend time in the country for bilateral exercises with their Philippine counterparts.

Kerry said that with respect to Pemberton, Washington wants to see due process "to unfold appropriately" while laws and rights are upheld.

"That's exactly what we will do here. Due process will play out, and we will work with the Philippines in order to make certain that rule of law and the agreement are upheld," he said.

Kerry also vowed that the US will keep provisions of the VFA, which is challenged anew even after the two countries have reached another milestone in the signing of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement granting the rotational presence of American forces.

"We will, indeed, uphold our agreements with our friends in the Philippines; they deserve nothing less," Kerry said.

Del Rosario said, meanwhile, said that the two countries are "concerned" that the criminal case is causing stress in Philippines-US relations.

"I think we are concerned, and it's unfortunate that we had this tragic event," Del Rosario said. "But as my friend John had mentioned, we do have all the mechanisms in place so that justice can properly be served."

Harry Roque, lead counsel for Laude's family, however, disagreed with the US' position that Pemberton is not required to make an appearance before the Olongapo City Prosecutor's Office for the preliminary investigation on Tuesday.

"Hindi ko po talaga gusto 'yung tono ngayon ng mga Amerikano na pupwedeng pumunta, pupwedeng hindi. Parang utang na loob pa natin kay Pemberton kung siya ay sasapi sa proceedings," Roque said in an interview with dzMM on Monday.

He also called for an urgent and decisive action by Manila to have Pemberton transferred to the custody of Philippine authorities.

Kerry was expected to discuss with Del Rosario possible actions the Philippines can undertake in support of the US' campaign against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, or ISIS, extremists.

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