ni Eli San Miguel @News | Oct. 15, 2024
Makikita sa larawang ito ang barkong pandigma at ang guided missile cruiser na USS Philippine Sea (CG 58). Photo: U.S. Navy photo Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Charles E. Hill
Hiniling ni Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez sa United States, na i-donate sa Pilipinas ang warship na USS Philippine Sea, na nakatakdang idekomisyon sa 2025, para magamit sa West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Ipinadala ni Rodriguez ang kahilingang ito sa mga opisyal ng US., kabilang sina State Secretary Anthony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, at U.S. Ambassador sa Pilipinas na si MaryKay Carlson.
“I am sure that it will be a big asset in our efforts to defend our territorial waters, our sovereign rights, and our personnel and fishermen from intruders,” ani Rodriguez. Isang Flight II Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser ang USS Philippine Sea, na kasalukuyang nasa aktibong serbisyo sa US Navy.
Ito ay unang nakomisyon noong Marso 18, 1989. “With its historical background and its name being apropos and relevant to the current issue on our [WPS] sovereign rights being illegally challenged by China, may I request that the USS Philippine Sea be donated to the Philippines,” pahayag ng solon.
“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,” dagdag pa niya.