Mabus visit highlights U.S. commitment to PHL

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 18): Mabus visit highlights U.S. commitment to PHL 

US Ambassador to the Philippines, Harry K. Thomas, on Tuesday said that the three-day visit of Navy Secretary Ray Mabus to the country highlights their continuing commitment to the country.

Thomas made this statement during a chance interview at the Department of National Defense (DND) building in Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

The US ambassador escorted Mabus during the latter's meeting with DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and other ranking military officials Tuesday morning.

The US official arrived Monday in the Philippines.

He added that Mabus' visit is to show the United States Navy and Marine Corps' continuing commitment to the Philippines.

"This is his second visit to the Philippines," Thomas stressed.

This commitment is highlighted by the fact the US Navy ships made over 70 port calls last year.

Thomas said that this commitment is further boosted by the decision of the US Navy to have some of its ships repaired at the shipyards operating in Subic Bay, Zambales.

"That's a multi-million dollar injection into the Philippine economy," he added.

"As we rebalance to the Pacific, our alliance with the Philippines has never been more important than it is today," Mabus earlier stated.

"I look forward to exploring opportunities to work with the Philippine armed forces to build greater maritime capacity and increase security and stability in the region," he emphasized.

The US Secretary of the Navy conducts all business matters for the two uniformed services that make up the Department of the Navy.

These are Navy and the Marine Corps.

This involves implementing policies and programs to support the national security objectives established by US President Barack Obama and US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.

Additionally, Mabus oversees the construction and repair of naval ships, aircraft, and facilities.

He is responsible for an annual budget in excess of U.S.0 billion and provides leadership for almost 900,000 people.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=535446