MANILA - USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6), an amphibious assault ship of the United States, arrived in this city Sunday for a scheduled port visit.

The ship brought 2,500 sailors and Marines to Manila. They will participate in community relation projects like giving help to those displaced by the eruption of Mayon Volcano.

"We chose this community relations because it responds to a current natural disaster affecting thousands of Filipinos," said Lt. David Hammond, the ship's Assistant Command Chaplain.

"Although we're unable to have personal interaction with the evacuees, we know that our work will reach them," the American added.

USS Bonhomme Richard just came from Thailand, where it participated in the multinational exercise Cobra Gold, before heading to Manila.

Other US warships have also visited the Philippines this year, like attack submarine Bremerton last March 1, and aircraft carrier Carl Vinzon and missile destroyer Michael Murphy last February 16.

Meanwhile, Rommel Banlaoi of the Center for Intelligence and National Security Studies is not convinced that port call is the only reason why these warships have visited the country.

Banloi believes the US is trying to boost its presence in the Southeast Asian region to show its support to its long-time ally amid disputes in the South China Sea.