US Navy destroyer arrives ahead of Obama visit

MANILA, Philippines —  A United States Navy destroyer docked in Manila on Monday as the Philippines is stepping up security measures for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

The Arleigh Burke-class USS Fitzgerald arrived in Manila Bay a day before US President Barack Obama’s scheduled arrival to the Philippines for the conference.

The ship’s arrival was "in general support of APEC," a statement released by the US Embassy said.

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The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) transits the South China Sea on Nov. 11, 2015. US Navy/Patrick Dionne/Released

USS Fitzgerald’s five-day visit is in line with its routine patrol in the area of operations of the US Navy’s 7th Fleet, the largest US numbered fleet with as much as 100 vessels.

The ship's visit also came amid the ongoing territorial row in the South China Sea, which is not in the agenda of the APEC meet but is nevertheless seen to overshadow trade issues in the conference.

“During its short visit, there will be no scheduled liberty for U.S. Sailors aboard,” the US Embassy said.

Days before its arrival in Manila, the Fitzgerald conducted a routine patrol in the South China Sea amid the row between the Philippines and China, among other claimants.

During Fitzgerald’s operations, the ship made contact with the Chinese Navy frigate Yuncheng. Fitzgerald and Yuncheng regularly exchanged greetings and navigational course changes on radio.

Cmdr. Christopher England, the ship's commanding officer, said the patrol mission reinforces the United States' relationship with countries in the region. The Philippines has long been a defense ally of the US.

"Fitzgerald's presence in the South China Sea reinforces the United States' commitment to peace and regional stability to our partners and allies in the Indo-Asia-Pacific," England said in a statement.

Named after US Navy Cross awardee Lt. William Fitzgerald, the ship was commissioned in 1995 and can provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities.

Security officials previously said they have not detected any threat that could disrupt the APEC summit, which will be attended by leaders and delegates from 21 countries.

They, however, admitted that some security adjustments had to be made to prevent attacks similar to those in Paris that left at least 129 people dead last Friday.