Friday, February 23, 2007
US ship with sailors and Marines arrives in RP for goodwill visit (11:15 a.m.)
MANILA -- A US amphibious transport ship carrying more than 600 sailors and Marines arrived at a port west of the Philippine capital on Friday for a goodwill visit that includes free medical services and a ship tour for children, an official said.
The USS Juneau docked at Subic Bay Free Port, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Manila, for a four-day visit, US Marine Capt. Burrell Parmer said.
The sailors and Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit based in Okinawa, Japan, will offer free medical and dental services to local communities and deliver items donated by families of US Marine and Navy personnel, he said.
Local school children will also be given a tour of the ship, Parmer said.
The goodwill visit is separate from ongoing military exercises between US and Philippine troops aimed at isolating al-Qaida-linked militants in the southern Philippines.
A 400-strong US military contingent is taking part in the Feb. 18-March 4 annual exercises dubbed "Balikatan," which means "shouldering the load together," with Filipino troops. (AP) |
