US Ambassador to PHL wants to visit Davao City

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 9): US Ambassador to PHL wants to visit Davao City

After meeting President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacanang Palace, US Ambassador to Manila Sung Kim on Friday said he is eager to visit Davao City, the hometown of the chief executive.

In a chance interview, Kim said he is now arranging his schedule to visit other tourist spots and most visited places in the country but he wants to prioritize Davao City.

“I am planning to visit Davao City by next week. I want to know more about the culture of Filipinos in this part of Mindanao,” Kim said.

He recalled that the last time he visited the Philippines was 25 years ago, as he claimed that he is looking forward to revisit Davao City to see the progress in the President’s hometown.

The Korean–born US Ambassador said he was given extra hour by President Duterte when he made a courtesy call and presented his credentials.

“It was terrific. The president was kind enough to give me a lot of time and we were able to cover a whole range of issues-- important issues regarding US-PHL partnership. I think it was a terrific start.

I’m very much looking forward to work with President Duterte and his team to strengthen our special partnership,” the chief US envoy in Manila stressed.

Asked how he gauged the Philippines-US relations, Kim said he had said many times that the relationship of the two nations is one of most enjoyed and most special.

“I’m deeply committed to do everything possible to make sure to strengthen all of the important aspects of this relationship. And there are many different dimensions of this of course, we have a rock solid alliance. Very strong economic engagement, long enforcement cooperation etc.,” he explained.

He said that his plan and commitment is to make sure “to strengthen and deepen all aspects of our relationship.”

“So, I’m sure you can expect that relationship will continue to grow,” he pointed out.

When asked how he will strengthen the US-PHL relations under the Trump administration, Kim said he sees “US-PHL relationship is one of their most enduring because this relationship has enjoyed very strong support and strong commitment throughout the past 70 years of our alliance.”

“I think there’s a wide recognition in Washington that this is an important relationship that sends mutual interest, so I expect that with the new administration, we will see similar type of strong commitment to this relationship,” he noted.

“I think it reflects the deep bond between the people of the two countries. There’s a very close friendship, I mean four million Filipino Americans residing in the US, over quarter of million Americans residing here. So my impression in five days here is I’m very, very excited to be here," he pointed out.

Meantime, Kim said his dream as a diplomat is to be the first US Ambassador to Korea.

“... obviously for me to go back to Korea as the first Korean US Ambassdor. Korea is very special to me, but I have to confess, I am also super excited about being here, I have visited the Philippines many years ago, and I have been struck by the energy and the beauty of the Philippines and I want to come back. It took me 25 years, but I’m back and it's good to be back here,” he concluded.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=947181