By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/PNA
MANILA — United States Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on Friday underscored the importance of press freedom during his official visit to the Philippines.
“I raised with my counterparts the importance of protecting the rights and liberties of all Filipinos, including free speech, a free press, and due process under the law,” Pompeo said during a speech after his bilateral meeting with Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr.
During the joint press conference, the US official said Washington expects a free press in all corners of the world.
“We communicate that to adversaries, to our partners and friends, we are never shy about talking about its importance,” he stressed.
The US official also answered in affirmative when asked whether he raised the human rights issues and the treatment of opposition figures in the Philippines during his talk with Locsin.
“I did raise human rights, in travels everywhere our expectation for countries to observe the rule of law is fundamental,” he said.
“Our Embassy raises these issues around the world, we never forget the importance of human rights, rule of law, transparency, justice wherever it is that we go,” he added.
Pompeo’s visit is his first in the Philippines. He arrived on Thursday from Vietnam where he participated in President Donald Trump’s summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, as well as bilateral meetings with Vietnamese leaders.
