SUBIC ZAMBALES, PHILIPPINES – A United States warship arrived here on Sunday at the former US naval base for a routine resupply stop and a rest and relaxation break for its crew.
Engineer Ed Rase, a Manila Livewire follower, and contributors said that the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) docked at the Alava Pier before noon on Sunday.
According to a US Navy officials, the USS McCain is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region as it sends a signal to China that the U.S. Navy will continue to conduct freedom of navigation patrols even as China continues to “militarize” their artificial islands.
US Navy officials also said that “visiting Subic Bay provides us with a great opportunity to continue the long-term relationship between the Philippines and the United States and that is very important to us.”
Meanwhile, in a statement from the US Embassy in Manila said, the ship’s port visit on Sunday highlights the strong community and military connections between the Philippines and the United States.
No press coverage has been arranged for the arrival of the destroyer and the embassy did not say how long the USS McCain would stay in the Philippines. -JCE.
