(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The United States said yesterday it would comply with a Philippine prosecutor's order to produce a murder suspect and four other US Marines in the investigation into the killing of a transgender Filipino sex worker.

The prosecutor ordered the five US Marines to give depositions at a formal hearing on Tuesday after police named one of them as a suspect in the October 11 hotel killing in Olongapo City.

"The United States will continue to assist in the investigation to help ensure justice is served," US embassy spokeswoman Anna Richey said in an emailed response to requests for comment.

"This will include making the suspect, witnesses, and any evidence gathered available to the Philippine authorities."

Richey said the suspect was being held on board the USS Peleliu pending an investigation into the death of Jeffrey Laude, described by local police as a transgender sex worker.

The four other American marines sought by prosecutors were described by the Philippine foreign department Friday as witnesses.

The US Pacific Command earlier ordered the warship to remain at a port near Olongapo while the murder investigation was ongoing.

Following the hearings, which could take days or weeks, the prosecutor can either bring criminal charges or drop the case.