The embassy said the port call “highlights the strong community and military connections between the Philippines and the United States.”
“The ship’s crew will use the stop to conduct some minor repairs with the assistance of Philippine companies,” the statement said.
It said “the United States and Philippines continue to build upon their 70-year history of partnership through defense cooperation, port visits, and military training activities.”
“The American and Philippine militaries have worked together on areas of mutual interest including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and maritime security,” the embassy said.
USS Stethem is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, it added.
