U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry assured the family of a murdered Filipino transgender woman Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude that they will not seek special treatment for Joseph Scott Pemberton during the course of investigations.

On Tuesday, local news Philippine network GMA News TV reported that Kerry declared no special treatment for the American serviceman who was charged with Laude's murder in Olongapo City.

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However, Kerry requested assurance that Pemberton's rights would be upheld during the investigations.

According to Kerry, the government of the United States will help the Philippines make sure that justice will be served through proper legal processes. A preliminary probe is set to begin Tuesday afternoon.

The preliminary hearing Tuesday afternoon will proceed even without Pemberton, 19, who remains in the custody of his seniors aboard the U.S. assault ship USS Peleliu docked in Subic Bay in Zambales.

Earlier, the American embassy had declared that Permberton's lawyers would be the ones to determine whether the accused would appear in court.

Laude's death ignited anti-U.S. sentiments among Filipinos with several groups and law experts calling for the eradication of the visiting forces agreement.

However, Philippine President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III repeatedly snubbed the call to eradicate the treaty and said that one person's crime cannot reflect an entire nation's intention.

"I mean, name me any place that doesn't have a crime. And the sin of one person should be reflective of the entire country? I don't think so. What is important is there was a crime, we should gather all evidence to prove the guilt and justice will be served," Aquino said in a speech during the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the beginning of U.S. liberation of the Philippines in World War II.

Last week, the 26-year-old victim was found dead in a bathroom of Celzone Lodge in Olongapo City. Laude's body was slumped in the toilet with her head inside a toilet bowl.

Witnesses revealed that the American serviceman was the last person seen with Laude before her death, making him the primary suspect for the killing.

TagsLaw Crime, Social Issues, Olongapo, Asia, Benigno Aquino III, John Kerry