President’s Hall, Malacañan Palace
July 27, 2016

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte met with US Secretary of State John F. Kerry in a working lunch inside the President’s Hall at Malacañan Palace.

According to Presidential Spokesperson Ernie Abella, both leaders affirmed the strong PHL-US relations and discussed matters of the state like terrorism, crime, illegal drugs, religious fanaticism, maritime security and climate change. Aside from solutions discussed on these concerns, the US also committed $32 million in law enforcement training and services for the Philippines.

President Duterte was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Sec. Perfecto R. Yasay Jr., Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea, National Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III, National Security Adviser (NSA) Gen. Hermogenes C. Esperon Jr., Presidential Communications Secretary Martin M. Andanar, Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Sec. Christopher Lawrence Go, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya and Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto C. Abella.

Nine other US dignitaries, including US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip S. Goldberg and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia Pacific Affairs Daniel R. Russel, accompanied Sec. Kerry.

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