Here’s your mystery ship — US military

ZAMBOANGA CITY — A US military official unveiled yesterday to the public the supposed "mystery" ship that was reported to have docked at a port in Mindanao last week.

Lt. Col. Mike Donelly, US Joint Special Operation Task Force-Philippines (JSOFT-P) public affairs chief, said the HSV-X1, designed to transport personnel and equipment, can be used in a variety of missions such as humanitarian assistance, disaster response, command and control, logistics, as well as search and rescue.

The US routinely tests vessels at sea while providing realistic conditions to gauge the vessels’ utility and reliability, he added.

Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat said he could not recall any US navy ship that had officially anchored in the port city.

US Navy Commander Tom Shaw, HSV (High-Speed Vessel) captain, said the transport craft is delivering several tons of humanitarian supplies donated by the United States under the Shared Futures program.

"I am honored to represent the United States as we embark in this goodwill effort with our Armed Forces of the Philippines counterparts from Southcom, civic and political leaders from Zamboanga City and the Sulu archipelago, and local non-governmental agencies," he said.

"Behind me are several tons of supplies that will go to help Filipinos," he said.

Shaw said the supplies include hospital beds and medical equipment donated by Ed Artis, 4,500 children’s backpacks filled with educational materials given under a US program called Shared Hands, and 600 sewing machines. — Roel Pareño