US Submarine USS Frank Cable in Palawan
US submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) arrived in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan on Saturday, June 11, for a "scheduled port visit," according to the US embassy in Manila.
The visit will allow the ship’s sailors and military sealift command mariners to enjoy some rest and relaxation.
Frank Cable, a ship that provides repairs and support to submarines, is commanded by Capt. Drew St. John and has more than 500 sailors and civilian mariners on board.
Drew was quoted in the statement as saying, "This visit is special to my crew, including many who have close personal ties to the Philippines."
Als, he said, "Our Sailors act as diplomats for the United States every day, and through their varied interactions with the local population they strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our two countries."
The presence of the submarine tender ship coincided with the visit of a US-based defense and security think-tank to Western Command (Wescom) in Palawan to observe and see the actual implementation of the Philippines-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).