US navy ships to make more port calls in PH

From the Manila Standard Today (Dec 14): US navy ships to make more port calls in PH

The United States Navy said on Thursday that it planned to increase its port visits in the country as part of its objectives to further boost bilateral security ties in several areas of concern between Manila and Washington. Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Jessie Dellosa said that starting next year, US vessels will make frequent visits based on new terms under the Mutual Defense Treaty, which the US and the Philippines signed in 1951. Dellosa signed the new terms Admiral Samuel James Locklear of the US Pacific Command in Camp Aguinaldo on Wednesday. “There will be an increase in port calls of US ships in the country,” Dellosa said.

The port visits, according to Dellosa, will provide the much-needed assistance to the AFP and the government, especially in times of disasters. “Increased US ports call could eventually benefit the country in times of disasters,” Dellosa said At least 200 US ships have visited the country’s various ports this year alone, including the USS George Washington, along with several destroyers and frigates which had docked in Palawan fronting the West Philippine Sea.

Dellosa and Locklear held a two-day meeting which ended Wednesday where they discussed a variety of topics, including the US commitment to provide equipment and strengthen the country’s maritime security, climate change and disaster preparedness and support. The US and Philippine military are expected to hold at least 100 military exercises by next year in their bid to further enhance its interoperability capability, and in reaffirming their strategic partnership. “Strengthening the US-Philippine alliance ensures that together, we continue to effectively and efficiently contribute to the stability and security of the Asia Pacific,” Locklear said.

On China’s threat to pass laws that will allow their naval troops to board and search ships passing through China Sea, Locklear said that there should be no provocative actions by any country to resolve territorial disputes in South China Sea. “There should be a freedom of navigation in South China Sea,” L0ocklear said.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2012/12/14/us-navy-ships-to-make-more-port-calls-in-ph/