DFA spokesman Charles Jose. AP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – The cancelation of port calls of United States (US) ships in Subic are due to “changing operational requirements” and are not related to the case of the Filipino transgender woman who was allegedly slayed by a US Marine.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) was informed through normal diplomatic channels on the cancelation of three US ships for operational reasons,” DFA Spokesman Assistant Secretary Charles Jose said in a press briefing Monday.
“Usually the purpose of port calls is for repair, and operational reasons. We can say that they are not related to the joint military exercises, they are not related at all,” he said.
The Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) released a statement Sunday saying that nine US ships have cancelled port calls which disappointed them because of the revenues they could have earned.
DFA confirmed only the cancelation of three ships that are said to be scheduled to arrive within November, but have no information on the status of the remaining six.
Negative sentiments against the US have poured out following the murder of Filipino transgender woman Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude allegedly by US Marine Pfc Joseph Scott Pemberton in a motel in Olongapo city last October 11, 2014.
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9 US ships cancel port calls to Subic