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MANILA, Philippines?(UPDATE 2) US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrived Thursday in the Philippines on a visit to show support for the country's fight against extremists and its efforts to rebuild after three major storms rocked the islands.
She went straight to Malacañang for a meeting with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. She was also expected to meet with Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo.
Clinton arrived in the capital Manila at 1:15 p.m. from Singapore and was scheduled to visit US-funded disaster relief projects. Her one-day trip will also focus on countering Muslim extremists who are operating in the country's south.
Despite years of US military training and assistance, Filipino troops have struggled to contain the militants, who have recently intensified attacks, blowing up bridges, firing mortar shells and setting off roadside bombs.
