Get breaking news alerts and special reports. The news and stories that matter, delivered weekday mornings.

MANILA - Police in the Philippines filed murder charges on Wednesday against a U.S. Marine over the death of a transgender Filipino he met in a bar outside the former U.S. naval base of Subic Bay. "Based on two witnesses' testimonies, we believe we have a strong case against the U.S. Marine," said Pedrito delos Reyes, police chief of Olongapo City, where the body of Jennifer Laude, 26, was found in a hotel room on Saturday.

U.S. authorities said the Marine was being held aboard the USS Peleliu, an amphibious assault ship, in Subic Bay. Three other individuals were also held as potential witnesses. "I know the matter has the potential to charge the atmosphere with regards to the relationship between us and the Philippine government, and I hope it doesn’t damage it because we have a very close relationship," Marine Corps Commandant General James Amos said in Washington, calling the case a “huge tragedy.”

SOCIAL

Reports: Marine from New Bedford held in Filipino killing http://t.co/wowuCnAeAa — NBC 10 WJAR (@NBC10) October 15, 2014

PNP identifies suspect in Laude slay: US Marine Corps' Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton | @janina_sanchez pic.twitter.com/k54lms8wIU — 9News Philippines (@9newsph) October 14, 2014

Thru a photo line, a witness identifies PFC Joseph Scott Pemberton as the last companion of Jennifer Laude @gmanews pic.twitter.com/Qa4tPAKoM3 — Ian Cruz (@_iancruz) October 16, 2014

- Reuters