BEIJING, Jan. 18 -- The Unites States has formally rejected a Philippine government request to hand over four U.S. marines charged with rape, invoking a bilateral agreement that grants it custody of the suspects during legal proceedings.

    A Philippine judge last week issued arrest warrants for the marines, held in custody by the U.S. embassy, in a bid to pressure Washington to hand them over.

    But prosecutor Prudencio Jalandoni said on Tuesday the warrants could not be served because of the U.S. rejection.

    "Stated on the note verballly is the position being taken by the US embassy that within the one year period they will... the US marines will remain under their custody. So they are invoking the provisions of the Visiting Forces Agreement."

    Protesters on Tuesday gathered in front of the U.S. embassy, where the four marines were being held, to condemn the U.S. decision.

    Holding placards reading "Arrest guilty U.S. soldiers now" and chanting slogans like "U.S. terrorists", the protesters said the Filipinos have been unjustly treated.

    "We think that this is extremely unreasonable and unjust for the Filipinos and an insult to our pride and to our own national sovereignty and dignity."

    The four U.S. marines were charged with raping a 22-year-old woman inside a van at Subic Bay, a former U.S. Naval base northwest of Manila.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)