US warship visits the Philippines for the first time since 2019

Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) arrived in Manila on Monday, the US Navy said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the Command Destroyer Squadron 7 Public Affairs said the visit shows strong alliance, military relationship, and renewed engagements between the Philippines and the United States.

With the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, the visit was made contactless with the crew just remaining on board. The crew members were able to rest as the ship's supplies were replenished.

This is the first time a commissioned US Navy warship has visited the Philippines since 2019, according to the US naval unit.

On July 30, Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced that President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the retraction of the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement with the US.

The Philippines sent an official letter of termination of the VFA to the US on February 11, 2020.

Lorenzana made the announcement a day after Duterte met with US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III in Malacañang during the US official’s visit to the Philippines.

“The US security commitment to the Philippines is iron-clad, and that commitment…extends to the South China Sea,” Austin said.

“As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty this year, the commitment to our security partnership with the Philippines is stronger than ever,” he added.

The routine port visit is a continuation of the relationship as treaty allies, and furthers the friendship, partnership and alliance between the US and the Philippines, the naval unit said.

Every year, the US routinely participates in 300 bilateral engagements, from expert exchanges to ship visits, to component exercises and major training exercises like Balikatan, Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT), and Maritime Training Activity (MTA) Sama Sama, it added.

US 7th Fleet commander Vice Admiral Karl Thomas said the presence of the US Navy ship at sea and ports promotes security and stability in the region.

“Our US Navy ships’ presence at sea and in ports like Manila promote security and stability that drives the peace and prosperity for the benefit of regional countries,” Thomas said.

“We appreciate the flexibility to resupply our ships in the Philippines, so that they are ready to support a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” he added.

According to the naval unit, the USS Charleston is on a rotational deployment from San Diego and is part of the Task Force 76/Expeditionary Strike Group 7.

The 7th Fleet is the US Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, it said.

It interacts and operates routinely with 35 maritime nations to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region, it added. —KG/BM, GMA News