US government: People of the Philippines deserve nothing less

From Ang Malaya (Oct 21): US government: People of the Philippines deserve nothing less

Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario had a press conference with US Secretary of State John Kerry prior to their meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia. Different state representtives are in Indonesia for the inauguration of Joko Widodo, new President of Indonesia, yesterday, October 20. Kerry also used the opportunity to hold meetings with state leaders to strengthen campaign against Islamic State extremists.

In their joint press conference, a question regarding the involvement of a US Marine in a the killing of a Filipino transgender was raised. “Whatever charges there are, whatever infractions have been affected by any American anywhere, we believe in the rule of law, and we believe in our agreement,” Kerry said.

“We will, indeed, uphold our agreements with our friends in the Philippines – they deserve nothing less.”

“The people of the Philippines who are gracious enough to permit an arrangement whereby we meet mutual interests with this kind of a force’s presence need to know that we’re not seeking a special privilege, that everybody’s rights will be appropriately protected,” US Secretary of State added.

Secretary del Rosario said, “we do have all the mechanisms in place so that justice can properly be served.”

http://www.angmalaya.net/nation/2014/10/21/5157-us-government-people-of-the-philippines-deserve-nothing-less