Kerry visits DFA office for bilateral talks

Photo by Matikas Santos

MANILA, Philippines – US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived Tuesday at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for bilateral talks with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.

Kerry is in the Philippines for the first time as part of his tour across Asia. He previously visited Vietnam and the city of Ramallah in the Middle East.

Del Rosario and Kerry are expected to discuss fast-tracking the finalization of an increased rotational presence framework agreement in the country.

The US is rebalancing its military assets to the region as part of its pivot to Asia strategy.

Kerry will also travel to areas devastated by super typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) to see first-hand the relief efforts of the US military and aid agencies.

Kerry’s visit comes as tensions in the region are high following China’s establishment of an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the East China Sea that has been condemned by US, and its allies, Japan and South Korea.

The Philippines and several of its neighbors are involved in a territorial dispute with China, which has been growing more assertive in its claims.

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