US demands halt in China’s land reclamation as US Navy’s heavily-armed destroyer arrives in Subic Bay

05/30/2015 – Manila | The United States Navy USS Shiloh (CG-67) arrived in Subic Port Saturday morning to make a port call, a local television report said. The arrival of the heavily-armed guided missile destroyer coincides with America’s demand in China to halt all of its illegal reclamation activities in South China Sea permanently.

The USS Shiloh is a guided missile destroyer in US navy and is capable of shooting down hostile aircrafts in high altitude. As a multi-role battle ship, it is designed to combat and destroy surface warships, submarines, warplanes, and other land-based stationary targets.

It is not clear if how long the battle ship will stay in Subic Port, but report said it will leave immediately after replenishing its supplies like fuel, water, and foods. It will return back to its homeport in Yokosuka, Japan and it will pass through western part of South China Sea – the disputed are where China reclaims large part of islets turning into giant man-made islands.

“First, we want a peaceful resolution of all disputes. To that end, there should be an immediate and lasting halt to land reclamation by all claimants,” US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter told a high-level security conference in Singapore.

Earlier report says America’s commitment to protect the Philippines is ironclad. Japan on the other hand has shown interest in transferring “military assets” to the Philippines. There is no further details as the plan is not yet final until Pnoy’s visit to Japan on June but some reports says the said “military assets” includes modern and highly-powerful weapons and armaments.

China’s reclamation project in South China Sea caused both anger and fear with its southern neighbors especially Vietnam and the Philippines.

Earlier this month, both the US and Japan expressed interest in using some of the Philippine’s military bases for use in patrolling the South China Sea. The policy concerning this military cooperation is under ongoing review by the lawmakers and is expected to have a positive result according to Sec. Gazmin.

/Fanny Jalacjac/ Assisted Press Manila

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