MANILA, Philippines, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Filipinos, angered over the alleged rape of a 22-year-old woman, Tuesday protested in Manila against the presence of U.S. troops in the Philippines.
The alleged incident took place at the former Subic Bay naval base as the woman rode in a van with six U.S. Marines, reports The Los Angeles Times. No charges have been filed but the six Marines were being held by the U.S. Embassy at an undisclosed location, the report said.
U.S. and Philippine officials conducted separate investigations into the allegations that the woman was left by the side of the road after being raped. But both sides said the facts in the case remained unclear.
The local media, however, played up the incident, providing lurid details. One Philippine senator called the Marines "sex terrorists," the Times reported.
The six Marines, stationed aboard the Okinawa-based amphibious assault ship Essex, were among 4,000 troops who were in the Philippines to participate in exercises with Philippine troops. The alleged rape victim reportedly met them at a bar.
