Philippines Seeks Retired US Cruiser Philippine Sea Amidst Tensions in the South China Sea
Manila, Philippines – A Philippine congressman has formally requested the United States government totransfer the decommissioned guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea to the Philippines, citing its relevance to the ongoing maritime disputes in the South China Sea.
Rufus Rodriguez,a representative from the second district of Cagayan de Oro City in Northern Mindanao, made the request in a letter addressed to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken,Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson. Rodriguez believes the acquisition of the USS Philippine Sea would be a tremendous asset in bolstering the Philippines’ capacity to defend its territorial sovereignty andprotect its citizens and fishermen.
The USS Philippine Sea, a Ticonderoga-class cruiser, is slated for decommissioning in fiscal year 2025. It is the second US Navy vessel to bear the name, honoring theBattle of the Philippine Sea during World War II. The first was the USS Philippine Sea (CV-47), an Essex-class aircraft carrier.
Rodriguez highlighted the significance of the request, stating that it would be a very good gesture that reinforces the unwavering commitment and strong friendship betweenthe two nations.
The Philippines has a history of receiving surplus military equipment from the US, often in the form of Excess Defense Articles (EDA). Notable examples include the transfer of three decommissioned Hamilton-class cutters, now serving as the Philippine Navy’s PS-15 Gregorio del Pilar, PS-16Ramon Alcaraz, and PS-17 Andres Bonifacio. Last year, three former US Navy Cyclone-class patrol boats were added to the Philippine Navy’s fleet.
The Philippine Navy also operates several secondhand vessels from other countries, including the Pohang-class corvette ROKS Chungju, a gift fromSouth Korea, and three former Royal Navy Peacock-class patrol boats acquired in 1997.
The request for the USS Philippine Sea comes amidst heightened tensions in the South China Sea, where China has asserted expansive territorial claims overlapping with those of the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations.
While the US hasnot yet responded to Rodriguez’s request, the potential transfer of the USS Philippine Sea could further strengthen the US-Philippines military alliance and bolster the Philippines’ maritime capabilities in the region.
References:
- ABS-CBN News. (2024, October 15). Philippine congressman asks USto give retired warship ‘Philippine Sea’ to Manila. Retrieved from https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/15/24/philippine-congressman-asks-us-to-give-retired-warship-philippine-sea-to-manila
- Observer.com. (2024,October 16). 菲律宾议员向美索要退役“菲律宾海”号巡洋舰. Retrieved from https://www.guancha.cn/internation/20241016_665877.shtml
- US Navy. (2024). USS Philippine Sea (CG-58). Retrieved from https://www.navy.mil/
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