CAGAYAN de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez has asked the United States to donate to the country the USS Philippine Sea, a warship that the US is set to “deactivate” in 2025.
Rodriguez’s appeal was contained in letters addressed to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd James Austin III and Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson.
“With its historical background and its name being apropos and relevant to the current issue on our West Philippine Sea sovereign rights being illegally challenged by China, may I request that the USS Philippine Sea be donated to the Philippines,” Rodriguez, a lawyer, said in his Aug. 5, 2024 letters to three US officials.
Rep. Rufus Rodriguez. TMT PHOTO
“This will be a very good gesture, and it will further strengthen the iron-clad commitment and strong friendship between the United States of America and the Philippines,” the lawmaker said.
Rodriguez said on Tuesday that if the ship, which the US might further refurbish, was given to the country, the Philippines could use it to augment its navy and coast guard patrols around the archipelago and in the West Philippine Sea.
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