"Your visit here is a sign of the close relations between the U.S. Navy and the Philippine Navy."

Vice Adm. Luisito Fernandez

The port of Manila, Republic of the Philippines, hosted a November 1999 visit by a U.S. Navy LSD, a dock landing ship designed for U.S. Marine Corps amphibious operations. The USS Germantown (LSD 42), arrived in Manila in time to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps birthday. The Germantown embarked Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). Vice Adm. Luisito Fernandez, commander of the Philippine Navy, was an honored guest of the ship’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Joe Parker. The flight deck of the Germantown was the scene of an evening reception in honor of the U.S. Marine Corps birthday. Vice Adm. Fernandez welcomed the sailors and Marines, saying, "Your visit here is a sign of the close relations between the U.S. Navy and the Philippine Navy." A second honored guest was the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, Thomas C. Hubbard. Ambassador Hubbard noted that this was the "fifth visit since the ratification of the Visiting Forces Agreement." He further noted that "This agreement is important, as it represents the cooperation in the defense of both the United States and the Philippines, as well as the tradition of friendship between the two countries."

Vice Adm. Luisito Fernandez, Flag Officer Commanding of the Philippine Navy and honored guest, joins Cmdr. Joe Parker, Commander of the USS Germantown (LSD 42), to cut a cake during a reception aboard the U.S. dock landing ship. Photo by Sgt. Art Geahr, USMC