US destroyer in Talisay waters

CEBU, Philippines - The US Navy warship USS Gridley (DDG-101), a guided-missile destroyer, is anchored in the municipal waters of Talisay City.

The ship is not part of the reenactment of the American landing on the city’s shores. 

Ensign Joseph Ison of the Naval Forces Central (NAVFORCEN) said the ship has been there since Wednesday afternoon and will remain in the area till Monday while its personnel restock the ship with supplies and other personal needs.

Ison said because of the ship’s mammoth size, it can’t anchor at the Mactan Channel or it would congest the area.

He said the ship’s length is 155.30 meters, weighs 9200 tons, and has a capacity of 380 crew and personnel.

Meanwhile, it is not clear how much the ship will pay the government of Talisay City.

The city has an existing ordinance, just approved recently, which imposes environmental preservation fees for the use of the city’s coastal areas.

According to the law, boats weighing 150.1 gross tons up has to pay P500 per day. – (FREEMAN)