US Navy Ship George Washington Goodwill Mission in Manila
Monday, September 06, 2010 Posted by relentless
US Navy Ship George Washington Goodwill Mission in Manila. United States nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington is in Manila since yesterday September 4, 2010 on a goodwill mission for four (4)days.This is their second time to visit Manila. First was on August of 2009, where around US$7 million were spent in hotel bookings, sight-seeing, shopping and other activities.
They said that USS George Washington are here to participate in community and civic projects and to continue the longstanding military, historical and personal ties between our two countries. But this visit came among increasing naval presence of China in the South China Sea, where claims to some atolls and islets are being disputed among several countries including the Philippines.
Last month, the USS Blue Ridge, the flagship of the US 7th Fleet was also in Manila.
"The USS George Washington, would be also be watching over this region to maintain maritime security not only over the South China but also down the western Pacific," Capt. David Lausman, who is in command of the George Washington. He said it’s in the interest of the US and the rest of the countries in the region to keep the international waters open to trade and commerce.
I would say they’re an interest of your country too.
But while the Philippine Navy has welcomed the trip as a testament to the "strong historic, community and military connections between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines," the Communist Party of the Philippines said the visit was proof of "American interventionism."
(The trip is) a grave insult and affront on Philippine sovereignty;
the group said in a statement.
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