US warship docking at Cebu

MANILA, Philippines - A United States Navy warship will dock at Cebu City on Friday for a routine port call, the US Embassy in Manila announced.

The USS Shiloh (CG 67), a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, will replenish its supplies while in Cebu. Its crew of about 390 sailors, meanwhile, will find rest and relaxation during the four-day port visit.

The Embassy said the visit of the vessel, which is part of the US Pacific Fleet homeported in Yokosuka, Japan, aims to show the strong ties between America and the host country.

"(The courtesy visit) highlights the strong historic, community, and military connections between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines," the Embassy said.

The sailors of USS Shiloh will also participate in mangrove planting on Saturday in Lapu-Lapu City.

The ship is commanded by Captain Kurush Morris. About 90 members of its crew are Filipino-American.

The Shiloh last visited Cebu in 2008.