US rebuffs Philippines rape call

Protesters burned the US flag

The US has refused to hand over four US marines charged with raping a local woman in the Philippines to the authorities there.

The refusal is in line with a treaty between the two sides, which allows the US to keep custody of suspects until judicial proceedings are concluded.

The alleged rape took place in November inside a van at Subic Bay, a former US base north-west of the capital, Manila.

The four Marines deny rape, with one man saying he had consensual sex.

About 30 protesters chanted anti-US slogans and burned the US flag on Tuesday outside the US embassy in Manila, where the soldiers are being held.

"The US government has decided that it will retain custody of the four US marines accused of the crime of rape," the embassy said in a statement.

It said the US government would "continue to co-operate" with Philippine authorities as the case moves to trial.

The Subic Bay authority said earlier that the alleged victim had been visiting a karaoke bar when she met the marines who then reportedly invited her to get into a rented van with them.

At least one of them has acknowledged having sex with the 22-year-old but said it was consensual.