MANILA: Dozens of activists burned a mock US flag as they protested at the US Embassy in Manila on Tuesday, demanding that Washington hand over to the Philippines a US Marine suspected in the killing of a Filipino that the demonstrators labeled a hate crime.

Jeffrey Laude, 26, was found dead, apparently strangled and drowned, beside a toilet bowl in a motel room in Olongapo city, northwest of Manila, shortly after he checked in late Saturday, allegedly with a Marine.

Police said they have identified the Marine suspect with the help of a key witness. Authorities will file a murder complaint against him with prosecutors on Wednesday, national police spokesman Wilben Mayor said.

US Marine spokesman Col. Brad Bartelt said a Marine was being held on board the USS Peleliu in the Subic Bay free port, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) northwest of Manila, in connection with a joint US Navy and Philippine police investigation into Laude’s death.