Philippine authorities said on Tuesday that preliminary investigation on the rape case involving six US marines will be completed in 60 days, after a local prosecutor's office ordered the accused to answer questions of investigation later this month.

Philippine Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuna, who handed over the subpoena against the marines to US embassy officials on Tuesday, told reporters that there would be a prompt and speedy trial of the case.

A 22-year-old Filipino woman accused six US marines of rape on Nov. 1 at the Subic Bay. The marines were among thousands of US troops who participated in a joint military exercise with Philippine troops in late October.

No criminal charges has been made against the marines, who are currently in the custody of the US embassy in Manila.

The prosecutor said the government can only demand for custody of the accused if there is sufficient evidence against the respondents and once a warrant of arrest is issued by a court.

"At this point in time we are not asking for a custody because that is part of the agreement that during the preliminary investigation, the US embassy can have custody," said Zuno in reference to the 1998 US-Philippine Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) allowing US troops to regularly visit the Philippines.

The local prosecutor in Olongapo City in Subic Bay Tuesday subpoenaed the six accused to appear in his office on Nov. 23 and 29. The respondents were given 10 days upon receipt of the summonses to submit a counter-affidavit.

The Philippine government has promised to let justice be done in the case according to the Philippine laws, while calling on the public not to speculate on the outcome of the case, after some people expressed concern that the government could pressure the alleged victim to settle the issue privately.

Source: Xinhua