US Navy minesweeper arrives in Subic Sunday

MANILA, Philippines–A US Navy ship forward deployed in Japan is set to drop anchor in Subic Bay, Olongapo City for routine refueling and re-supply stop Sunday, the US Embassy in Manila said.

Aside from its routine tasks at the former American naval base, the USS Guardian (MCM-5), an Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship, will allow its crew of around 80 sailors some time off for rest and relaxation.

The ship will stay overnight in Subic before heading off to Puerto Princesa in Palawan for a brief stop, the embassy said in a statement.

The minesweeper’s visit is not open to media.

The USS Guardian is assigned to the US Navy’s 7th Fleet and is deployed in Sasebo, Japan.

Its crew includes eight Filipino-Americans with one, originally from Olongapo City, holding the highest rank among all enlisted personnel.

The ship visit is another in a string of arrivals of US military vessels to the country in recent years.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said that US ships made 197 port calls in 2012, while 444 US aircraft were cleared to land in the Philippines.