The Philippine government said Wednesday it has reached an agreement with the U.S. government on a speedy resolution of the criminal charges against four visiting U.S. marines accused of raping a 22-year-old Filipino woman.

Both governments agreed that the resolution of the case should follow the rule of law and due process so as to bring justice, Philippine government spokesman Ignacio Bunye said in a formal statement.

"The Philippine and U.S. governments are for the swift resolution of this isolated case but always through the observance of due process," he said.

Bunye added that both governments have assured that whatever the outcome of the case, "it will not in any way affect the close ties and friendship that bind the two countries."

Since the case is already in court, justice should be allowed to take its course instead of raising speculations that will only mislead the public and affect the legal proceedings, Bunye said.

A Philippine local prosecutor on Tuesday formally filed charges against four of the six US marines who were suspected of raping the Filipino woman after a visiting exercise at Subic Bay, a former US military base.

The other two were cleared the charge after they provided adequate evidence to prove their absence from the crime.

However, the accused are still in custody of the U.S. embassy in Manila.

The embassy said Tuesday that the U.S. government is looking forward to a "fair and impartial" trial for the accused. It also promised to continue the cooperation with Philippine authorities under the guidelines of the Visiting Forces Agreement as the case moves to trial under the Philippine jurisdiction.

Source: Xinhua