From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 17): PHL welcomes visit of US Secretary of State John Kerry
Malacanang welcomed on Tuesday the visit of United States Secretary of State John Kerry to thePhilippines
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio "Sonny" Coloma Jr. said Kerry's visit "presents an opportunity to discuss the broadening of economic and security cooperation, strengthening of people-to-people ties, as well as humanitarian assistance in disaster response and cooperation on regional issues."
"Ikinagagalak natin na ang ating strategic partner... ito ay nagpapakita ng pakikiisa sa ating bansa, lalo sa aspeto ng pagtulong [The visit shows their commitment and cooperation with our country, especially in terms of humanitarian assistance, theUS
Coloma said the reported announcement by Kerry that theUS will boost maritime security assistance to the countries of Southeast Asia amid rising tensions with Beijing is consistent with the Philippines
He said thePhilippines joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Japan
"Magandang panahon ang pagpunta niya dito kasi katatapos lang ng ASEAN-Japan Summit kung saan nagkaroon ng pagkakaisa ang ASEAN heads of state hinggil sa walang sagabal. They came up with a joint statement on the significance and importance of freedom of navigation and aviation and observation of international laws [His visit came at an opportune time when the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit had just concluded where ASEAN heads of state and Japan came up with a joint statement on the significance and importance of freedom of navigation and aviation and observation of international laws]," Coloma said.
Earlier reports indicated Kerry pledged an added USD 32.5 million for ASEAN members to protect their territorial waters and navigational freedom in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea ).
"Yan pong pahayag na 'yan ay consistent sa posisyon ng ating bansa at ASEAN heads of state atJapan
He said discussions on the increased rotational visits of US forces will likely take between President Benigno S. Aquino III and Kerry.
Kerry began his two-day visit to the country Tuesday.
It is his first visit to thePhilippines as US
While inManila
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, among the topics that are expected to be discussed during these events are the broadening of economic and security cooperation of thePhilippines and the US
Humanitarian assistance and disaster response and cooperation on regional issues are also expected to be part of the agenda.
Kerry will also visitTacloban City
Meanwhile, Coloma said President Aquino will also likely meet with United Nations leader Ban Ki-moon who will go toTacloban City
"Alam ko magkakaroon sila ng meeting, after which he will go to Tacloban to assess the situation there," Coloma said.
He said he is not certain though if Aquino will join Ban in his trip to Tacloban.
The UN secretary general is set to arrive inManila
More than 6,000 people died in the Nov. 8 typhoon -- one of the strongest storms ever recorded -- which badly hit Tacloban and surrounding regions.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=597606
Malacanang welcomed on Tuesday the visit of United States Secretary of State John Kerry to the
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio "Sonny" Coloma Jr. said Kerry's visit "presents an opportunity to discuss the broadening of economic and security cooperation, strengthening of people-to-people ties, as well as humanitarian assistance in disaster response and cooperation on regional issues."
"Ikinagagalak natin na ang ating strategic partner... ito ay nagpapakita ng pakikiisa sa ating bansa, lalo sa aspeto ng pagtulong [The visit shows their commitment and cooperation with our country, especially in terms of humanitarian assistance, the
Coloma said the reported announcement by Kerry that the
He said the
"Magandang panahon ang pagpunta niya dito kasi katatapos lang ng ASEAN-Japan Summit kung saan nagkaroon ng pagkakaisa ang ASEAN heads of state hinggil sa walang sagabal. They came up with a joint statement on the significance and importance of freedom of navigation and aviation and observation of international laws [His visit came at an opportune time when the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit had just concluded where ASEAN heads of state and Japan came up with a joint statement on the significance and importance of freedom of navigation and aviation and observation of international laws]," Coloma said.
Earlier reports indicated Kerry pledged an added USD 32.5 million for ASEAN members to protect their territorial waters and navigational freedom in the West Philippine Sea (
"Yan pong pahayag na 'yan ay consistent sa posisyon ng ating bansa at ASEAN heads of state at
He said discussions on the increased rotational visits of US forces will likely take between President Benigno S. Aquino III and Kerry.
Kerry began his two-day visit to the country Tuesday.
It is his first visit to the
While in
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, among the topics that are expected to be discussed during these events are the broadening of economic and security cooperation of the
Humanitarian assistance and disaster response and cooperation on regional issues are also expected to be part of the agenda.
Kerry will also visit
Meanwhile, Coloma said President Aquino will also likely meet with United Nations leader Ban Ki-moon who will go to
"Alam ko magkakaroon sila ng meeting, after which he will go to Tacloban to assess the situation there," Coloma said.
He said he is not certain though if Aquino will join Ban in his trip to Tacloban.
The UN secretary general is set to arrive in
More than 6,000 people died in the Nov. 8 typhoon -- one of the strongest storms ever recorded -- which badly hit Tacloban and surrounding regions.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=597606