3 US Navy ships cancel Subic port call

From the Business Mirror (Nov 3): 3 US Navy ships cancel Subic port call

THREE US Navy ships have canceled their scheduled port call at Subic Bay owing to operational requirements and not because of anti-American sentiments, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

“The reconsideration of the port call is a normal occurrence as US ships deployed in the Pacific are subject to operational requirements,” DFA Spokesman Charles Jose said in a news briefing.

He said the DFA was informed recently of the cancellation by the US Embassy in Manila through a diplomatic note.

News reports said nine US Navy ships, scheduled to arrive this month until December have decided to cancel their port calls “due to anti-American sentiments” in the country after a US Marine was implicated in the slaying of a Filipino transgender in Olongapo City last month.

The Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce was quoted as saying local businessmen are disappointed for losing the business in anticipation of the rest and recreation the sailors are expected to enjoy while docked in Subic.

The DFA said that the three ships are part of the nine-strong flotilla ships that has canceled the port call.

Jose belied claims that the cancellation of the visit was due to anti-American sentiments prevailing in the wake of the killing of transgender Jeffrey Laude.

“It is not true [that it is because] of anti-American sentiments, usually the purpose of port calls are for repair and operational reasons. We can say they are not related to joint military exercises, they are not related at all,” Jose said.

He added that ships which fail to call could have been sent to other ports doing the same repair.

Jose added that the alleged killing of Laude by US Marines Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton is “not reason to cancel…we don’t see the ongoing case to be a reason.”

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/3-us-navy-ships-cancel-subic-port-call/