The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is headed back to Okinawa, Japan, after the unit was ordered to stay in the Philippines while officials investigated the alleged slaying of a local transgender person.

Members of the MEU are aboard the amphibious ship Peleliu. That vessel and other Navy ships were ordered to stay in port in Subic Bay as U.S. and Philippine officials investigated the death of Jennifer Laude, a transgender woman who previously went by the name Jeffrey.

Philippine officials named Pfc. Joseph Pemberton, an antitank missileman with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, as the only suspect in the case. The ships were ordered to stay put, and Marines and sailors were restricted to their vessels as the alleged killing was investigated.

"After an unplanned and lengthy delay at Subic Bay, Philippines, we are back on our regular schedule for the return portion of the patrol," Col. Romin Dasmalchi, the 31st MEU's commanding officer wrote in a Facebook post. "The decision to keep us in port was made at the highest levels of our government and reaffirms why we need to be ready to execute any mission at any time. I know the delay caused a level of uncertainty and affected all of our Marines, Sailors and families, as everyone has been anticipating the timely return of the MEU."

The Marines departed the Philippines after Pemberton was moved from the Peleliu to Camp Aguinaldo, the headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He is in U.S. custody at the base and is under the protection of Marines, said Chuck Little, a spokesman for Marine Corps Forces Pacific. Ships were allowed to go underway.

Despite the controversial end to the Marines' stay in the Philippines, Dasmalchi wrote that he was proud of the unit's professionalism and patience during the "late-breaking changes." He also pointed out the MEU's accomplishments during their patrol, which began when the San Diego-based Peleliu arrived in Okinawa on Aug. 31.

"The MEU became a certified Maritime Contingency Force, we improved our capabilities, and we strengthened ties with our partners in the region," he wrote. "There is nothing simple about amphibious operations on a perfect day, but the dedicated effort that your Marine or Sailor applied to the numerous military challenges that came our way led to a top-notch deployment."

Dasmalchi also said the Marines and sailors will have a long weekend after returning to Camp Hansen. They will then continue planning for their Nov. 24 birthday ball.

Still, he warned that they could soon be underway again to provide disaster relief during typhoon season. Last year they assisted Filipinos after Typhoon Haiyan in November.

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