Sub latest US warship to come to PH

THE USS Michigan, an Ohio-class guided-missile submarine, arrives in the Subic Bay Freeport, a former US naval base, along with USNS Walter S. Diehl, a replenishment vessel. INQUIRER CENTRAL LUZON/ALLAN MACATUNO

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines—The third warship that the United States sent to the country in a week docked at the Alava Pier inside this former American naval base on Tuesday for a routine port call as talks on the

Enhanced Defense Cooperation between the US and the Philippine governments continued.

At 9:40 a.m. on Tuesday, the USS Michigan, an Ohio-class guided-missile submarine, arrived here along with USNS Walter S. Diehl, a replenishment vessel.

A statement from the US Embassy in Manila said the ship’s arrival “highlights the strong historic, community and military connections” between the United States and the Philippines.

The visit would allow the ship to replenish supplies as well as give its crew an opportunity for rest and relaxation, the statement said.

USS Michigan arrived here days after the USS Blue Ridge, a 7th Fleet landing ship, and USS New Orleans, an amphibious transport dock ship, made goodwill visits to the country.

The USS Blue Ridge docked at the Manila South Harbor on March 18, while the USS New Orleans arrived in Manila on March 22.

Sailors on board the USS Michigan are scheduled to visit a school that helps persons with disabilities and the Olongapo City museum.

But outside this former US naval base, officials of a

women’s rights advocacy group here expressed concern that the frequent visits of US troops would encourage “sex trade” and increase cases of prostitution in the free port and nearby Olongapo City.

Alma Bulawan, president of the group Buklod, told Inquirer that the rest and relaxation part of the activities of US servicemen while they are here would only attract women from different places to engage in prostitution.

“We’ve been working hard to assist women who have survived prostitution but every time these US troops arrive here, we fear that more women would fall victims to this kind of trade,” Bulawan said. Allan Macatuno, Inquirer Central Luzon