Ex-DFA chief lauds 2 US appointments

MANILA, Philippines — Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Wednesday welcomed the appointment of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Acting Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Sung Kim, saying they would be instrumental in managing the prevailing challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

“In the midst of the emerging challenges in Asia, this is an opportunity for us to proffer our congratulations to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Acting Assistant Secretary Sung Kim, who represent our country’s sole treaty ally and longtime defense partner,” Del Rosario said in a statement.

Old friends

“I recall that (former Philippine) Ambassador (to the United States Jose) Joey Cuisia and I engaged the then deputy secretary in DC to arrive at a decision to undertake joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea,” said Del Rosario, referring to his term as foreign secretary.

Del Rosario also underscored the significance of Kim’s new post after serving as US ambassador to the Philippines, saying that as the acting assistant secretary of state for East Asia and Pacific affairs, “it is often at that level where foreign policy is formulated and made to happen.”

“We have had the good fortune of benefiting from his experience and skills,” Del Rosario said.

“To manage the prevailing challenges in our side of the world, he will be instrumental for the U.S. and its policy in the Indo-Pacific,” he added.

Kim, Del Rosario said, will oversee foreign affairs policies involving East Asia and the Pacific, including China, Japan, South Korea and the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which the Philippines is a member.