Recently, Philippine lawmakers have sent a letter to the United States government requesting to acquire a retired American missile cruiser next year to counter the continuous threats and provocations from China.
According to the Filipino media ABS-CBN, Congressman Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro City in the Philippines stated on Tuesday (October 15) that he has written to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, asking them to consider donating the USS Philippine Sea (CG-58), also known as the “Philippine Sea”, a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser that began service in 1989 and is expected to retire in 2025.
Rodriguez stated in a press release, “I believe it would be a significant asset for us to defend our territorial waters, sovereign rights, and protect our personnel and fishermen from invaders.”
He added that this donation would be “a very positive gesture and will further strengthen the unbreakable commitment and strong friendship between the United States and the Philippines.”
Last May, during Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s visit to the US, President Biden reiterated the US security commitment to the Philippines, emphasizing the solid partnership and “deep friendship” between the two countries.
Tensions between China and the Philippines have been escalating with ships from both countries in disputed territories. Facing Chinese military provocations, the Philippines decided last year to allow the US to expand its military presence in the Philippines based on a 2014 defense agreement.
The US has also repeatedly warned Beijing that under the 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, the US is obligated to defend the Philippines if its armed forces come under attack, including in the South China Sea.
Rodriguez’s appeal comes after the latest clash between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea.
The Philippine Bureau of Fisheries confirmed that a “Chinese maritime militia” vessel intentionally collided with a Philippine patrol ship near Thitu Island in the disputed waters last Friday (October 11).
Manila has accused China of using aggressive tactics against Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, such as firing water cannons and using high-intensity lasers.
The South China Morning Post’s “This Week in Asia” column cited an analysis by Joshua Espeña, a resident researcher and vice president of the International Development and Security Cooperation Organization (IDSC) think tank in the Philippines. He stated that if the US meets the Philippines’ request, it would be the first time the US donates a fully capable combat cruiser.
Although the Ticonderoga-class cruiser is equipped with the advanced MK41 Vertical Launching System, capable of carrying 128 missile launch cells, enabling it to quickly lock onto and attack a large number of enemy targets and intercept enemy missiles effectively, its maintenance costs are very high.
According to the military self-media program “Exploring the Times”, the annual maintenance cost of the Ticonderoga-class cruiser can reach up to $150 million.
Furthermore, if the Philippines acquires the cruiser, Washington may need to sell additional weapons, such as Tomahawk missiles, for complementary use. In the past, the US has donated several warships to the Philippines to strengthen its maritime defense capabilities.