11 November 2005 – US Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Eric G. John called on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today and reiterated the US Government’s confidence in moving forward a more substantive agenda in RP-US relations.   John said the Philippines can expect more visits from U.S. senior-level officials in the months to come.

“The discussion focused on many substantive issues; these are the types of talks that close allies hold” according to Mr. John.  He conveyed that the U.S. is keen in supporting the Philippines’ implementation of priority programs, including the  Philippine Defense Reform Program (PDRP), counter-terrorism measures, and economic and fiscal initiatives like the E-Vat and Millenium Challenge Account.

President Arroyo discussed with Mr. John the Philippines’ initiatives and progress not only in counter-terrorism but also in addressing the issues of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) violations and human trafficking. In fact, the Presidential Spokesman reiterated yesterday that the Arroyo Administration’s efforts to combat human trafficking have never wavered.

Earlier in the day, Mr. John called on DFA Secretary Alberto G. Romulo and also discussed law enforcement cooperation, the Millennium Challenge Account, areas of common interest in the UN, ASEAN, APEC, and WTO, the Mindanao Peace Process and the commemoration of the Centennial of Filipino Migration to Hawaii.  Secretary Romulo expressed confidence in maintaining and strengthening RP-US alliance. “This continuing dialogue with US officials reaffirms our traditional friendship as allied democracies and paves the way in pursuing a more focused and strategic bilateral cooperation framework,” Secretary Romulo explained.

During the call on both Secretary Romulo and President Arroyo, Mr. John expressed regret on the alleged incident in Subic and assured the Philippine Government of US cooperation in pursuing the truth.  US Embassy Charge d’ Affaires Paul Jones added that “the US Government will follow the spirit and letter of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA),” and that “the focus on the case is in letting the investigation take its course.”  END