Obama PHL visit set April 28 - 29

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 11): Obama PHL visit set April 28 - 29

US President Barack Obama is slated to visit the country on April 28 and 29, Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Cuisia announced on Friday.

Cusia said specific details of the visit – the first by an American President in 11 years – are still being fleshed out but noted it is expected that areas on defense and security, economy, trade and people-to-people exchange will be taken up in a meeting between Obama and President Benigno S. Aquino III.

Obama will also be visiting Japan, South Korea, Malaysia ahead of the Philippines.

“It will be a working visit,” said Cuisia who was invited to speak before a dialogue with the Makati Business Club and Management Association of the Philippines in Makati City.

Obama’s schedule will be very tight and chances of him visiting the typhoon-ravaged Visayas region like what his Secretary of State John Kerry did in December last year will not take place.

"He has very limited time,"Cuisia said.

The US President, he added, will not be travelling with his wife, First Lady Michelle Obama, as well.

Obama’s visit will take place at a time its defense ally, the Philippines, is embroiled in tense maritime row with China, whose sprawling claims in the South China Sea eats into Manila’s territory.

Obama is seen to re-affirm US support for the Philippines and renew its commitments under a 1951 military treaty that it will defend Manila against aggression even in the South China Sea.

Both countries are finalizing an agreement that will increase a rotational presence of American troops to the Philippines and grant them, their equipment, naval vessels and aircraft access to Philippine military bases.

“It will be beneficial both to the Philippines and the United States,” Cuisia said.

The Philippines said a greater US presence will help the country build a minimum credible defense posture amid belligerent Chinese actions in the South China Sea, where Chinese government vessels encroach on areas within Manila’s exclusive economic zone that form part of the West Philippine Sea.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=634624