USS George Washington’s Visit the Philippines

United States nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington made a port call in Manila last Sept. 04, 2010.

This is the ship’s second port visit to manila and Philippine military judge that the U.S. carrier’s visit will pave the way to strengthen military ties between the two countries. The crew participated in several events with their counterparts from the Philippine navy, said the carrier’s public affairs bureau said in a statement. “ we operated up and down the south China sea, doing our flight operations in international waters before coming here’ Lausman said. The carrier’s last visit was in August last year, during which it’s men spent more than $7 million for hotel bookings, sightseeing and shopping activities.

Last August, the USS Blue Ridge, the flagship of the US 7th Fleet was also in Manila. Escorting the George Washington which has more than 5,000 crewmembers were destroyers USS McCampbell and USS John f. McCain and cruiser USS Cowpens.

The visit came amid increasing naval presence of China in the South Cina Sea, where claims to same atoll and islet are being disputed among several countries including the Philippines.

“The USS George Washington, would be also watching over this region to maintain maritime security not only over the south China sea but also down the western pacific.” Lausman Said.

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.

Is it really the intention of US to keep waters open to trade and commerce? Or to keep an eye to China which is rising as a sea power and now a biggest threat to US? If china dominates east asia, the marginal seas like the South China Sea and the East Sea, that makes it a great regional power. But once China has a presence in the Indian Ocean, it becomes a great power.

The Philippines , very noticeable is in a very strategic location of the conflict map. It explain why they take extraordinary interest in Mindanao peace process and was the promoter of the aborted MOA-BJE (Memorandum of Agreement_Bangsamoro Judicial Entity) which included the southern tip of Palawan.

There is no doubt that our country will become a frontline in this US-China sea conflict.