Clinton meets with foreign affairs, defense, AFP chiefs

MANILA, Philippines — United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and other top Philippine military officials on Wednesday as part of a visit to strengthen bilateral ties with key allies in the region.

United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. AP FILE PHOTO

Before heading for Malacañang, Clinton dropped by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) offices in Pasay City to view a photo exhibit of the US Agency for International Development and the US Peace Corps.

Dressed in black, a smiling Clinton was welcomed by Del Rosario and other diplomats while a band played the native song “Ang Pipit” in the background, using native bamboo musical instruments.

“Very nice. Thank you very much,” she told members of the DFA-Office of Fiscal Management’s “Angklung Ensemble” before she was escorted to the exhibit.

Also present at the event were Armed Forces Chief of Staff Eduardo Oban and Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Cuisia Jr.

Clinton is in town to meet with President Aquino on a number of pressing issues and for the signing of “the Manila Declaration” in a ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty.

At the DFA event, only photographers and videographers were allowed to cover, and there was no opportunity for an interview.