Arriving on 16 October, the destroyer escort conducted type training exercises in the Philippines from 23 to 26 October before receiving orders to make for Ambon, Indonesia, for a "showing-the-flag" and goodwill mission(U.S. NAVY PROJECT HANDCLASP). On 27 October, the ship departed Subic and headed south in the teeth of a typhoon. Upon making port at Ambon on the morning of 1 November, "Whipple" began carrying out the diplomacy of a goodwill visit. Her crew distributed "Project-Handclasp" material, painted a school, and topped off her visit with an unusual and time-consuming refuelling operation—a three-day, round-the-clock affair—utilizing tanker trucks. Underway again on 4 November, "Whipple" made for Subic Bay once more. After arriving at the Philippine base on 8 November, the destroyer escort commenced restricted availability which lasted until the 16 November when the ship sailed for Kaohsiung, Taiwan.