US Navy cancels Philippines port calls
Iran Press TV
Mon Nov 3, 2014 1:4PM GMT
The United States has called off visits of its three military ships to the Philippines following the death of a Filipino by a US marine.
The three US military vessels were scheduled to arrive this month at Subic Bay Freeport in Olongapo City, 80 kilometers north of Manila, but their visit was canceled after the American marine was charged with murder.
Private First Class Joseph Pemberton is accused of killing Jeffrey Laude on October 11 in a motel in Olongapo City.
Manila was recently informed of the cancelation by the US Defense Department, said Charles Jose, spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Jose said that the Department of Foreign Affairs "was informed through normal diplomatic channels of the cancellation of the visits to Subic of 3 ships for operational reasons.'
However, he noted that the decision is not related to the accusations brought against Pemberton. 'We don't see the ongoing case to be a reason.'
"The reconsideration of visits is a normal occurrence as US ships are deployed in many areas of the Pacific and subject to changing operational requirements,' he said.
The American Marine has transferred from the USS Peleliu to the military headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Quezon City, Stars and Stripes reported.
People in the Asian country have been critical of American forces accused of committing crimes in the Philippines.
The latest incident prompted several protests outside the US Embassy. The killing might affect a recent agreement between the two countries over increasing the US military's presence in the Philippines.
AT/AGB
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