US warship docks in Manila South Harbour
A US warship docked at the Manila South Harbour for a port visit, following its naval exercise with the Royal Brunei Navy, the US Embassy in the Philippines said on November 21.
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The ship, with 300 sailors onboard including 20 Filipino Americans, has just completed a naval exercise with Royal Brunei Navy, dubbed Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2016.
On November 17, another US Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship arrived in Subic Bay in the province of Zambales for a similar port visit.
The US Embassy said over 180 US ships have visited the Philippines this year, mostly for routine re-supply as well as for military exercises.
Meanwhile, top US and Filipino military officials also met on November 21 in Camp Aguinaldo for the annual Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board.
Earlier this month, the Philippine defense department announced that military exercises with the US will continue, months after President Duterte declared that he wants an end of the war games with the US.
However, the Philippine defense department wants lesser number of exercises with US. It also said it wants these exercises to be refocused on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and counter-terrorism training.
