Philippines Commissions US Ships Amid China’s ‘Illegal Activities’ in South China Sea

The Philippine Navy commissioned two Cyclone-class patrol ships donated by the United States to enhance its capacity amid China tensions.

U.S. service members conduct a boarding on a stateless fishing vessel transiting international waters in the Gulf of Oman as a rigid-hull inflatable boat and patrol coastal ship USS Chinook (PC 9) sail nearby on Jan. 18, 2022. U.S. Navy via AP

The Philippine Navy on Sept. 11 commissioned two Cyclone-class patrol ships that were recently donated by the United States to enhance the Asian country’s capacity in the face of China’s ongoing “illegal activities” in the South China Sea.

Philippine Navy Chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci said the vessels, BRP Valentin Diaz and BRP Ladislao Diwa, will be used for coastal patrols, humanitarian support, and disaster relief operations.