MANILA, Dec. 15  -- A Philippine prosecutor's office on Monday filed a formal murder charge against a U.S. Marine accused of killing a Filipino transgender in the northern city of Olongapo.

Quoting a statement of the Foreign Ministry, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Olongapo Prosecutor's Office has found probable cause to file the case against U.S. Frivate First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton in connection with the death of Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude in October.

"We now await the decision of the court on the issue of probable cause and for the next steps to proceed," Lacierda said.

"We look forward to the full cooperation of the U.S. government in ensuring that justice is secured" for Laude under the Philippine-U.S. Visiting Forces Agreement, he added.