By Myris Lee
The United States (US) Department of State announced the number two diplomat in Washington will visit the Philippines this month to meet with president-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to strengthen the US-Philippines alliance.
According to the US Department of State’s media note, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman will travel to the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Laos from June 5 to 14.
Sherman will also meet his senior members of the incoming administration and of the outgoing Duterte administration, and will join the business roundtable and an event in celebration of World Oceans Day.
“The Deputy Secretary’s travel to the region reflects the United States’ continued commitment to the Indo-Pacific and follows last month’s US-ASEAN Special Summit, President Biden’s visit to [South Korea] and Japan, the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Tokyo, and the launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework,” the department said.
Sherman will also visit and meet the top officials of South Korea, Laos and Vietnam. – ag
