U.S. fast attack submarine arrives in PH

A fast attack submarine of the United States Navy arrived in the Philippines Friday, weeks after Manila and Washington signed a controversial defense deal.

The USS Chicago, a part of the U.S. Pacific fleet in Guam, docked at Subic Bay in Zambales Friday for a routine port call, the Philippine News agency said in a report.

Some 135 men from the U.S. Navy were aboard the submarine, which is 360 long and 7,000 tons when submerged. The submarine is expected replenish supplies while docked.

State-run PNA also claimed the submarine’s arrival “highlights the strong historic, community and military connections” between the Philippines and the U.S.

The port call came weeks after the signing of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, aimed at increasing U.S. troops’ rotational presence in the Philippines.

Subic Bay, which used to house a giant U.S. naval base, has been tagged of one of the locations where U.S. troops will be stationed under the new deal.

EDCA is part of the U.S. “pivot” to Asia. It was also signed as the Philippines remains embroiled in a dispute with China over the latter’s claims in the West Philippine Sea.

On Wednesday, tensions flared anew between Manila and Beijing after Filipino police arrested 11 Chinese nationals for poaching near Hasa-Hasa Shoal off Palawan.