US Secretary of State to visit PH, other Asian countries

Secretary of State-designate Rex Tillerson gestures while testifying on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will travel to Manila, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur from August 5 to 9, the US Embassy in Manila said on Wednesday.

His visit reaffirms the US administration’s commitment to further broaden and enhance US economic and security interests in the Asia-Pacific region, the embassy said in a statement.

He will participate in the Asean Regional Forum, the East Asia Summit Ministerial, the US-Asean Ministerial, and the Lower Mekong Initiative Ministerial in Manila.

Tillerson is expected to meet his counterparts and discuss a range of issues including the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, maritime security and counterterrorism.

In Thailand, he is scheduled to pay respects to His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and engage Thai officials on the enduring US-Thailand partnership and regional issues.

He will also meet officials in Kuala Lumpur to discuss strengthening cooperation on a range of issues in the 60th year of US-Malaysia bilateral relations, the embassy said. F. Mangosing