Esperon, Bolton Reaffirm PH-US Security Alliance in DC Meeting

WASHINGTON, D.C. 26 June 2018 – National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. and his American counterpart John Bolton met for the first time in Washington, D.C. to reaffirm the importance of the security alliance between the Philippines and the United States on Thursday, 21 June 2018.

Secretary Esperon was joined by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano during the meeting with National Security Adviser Bolton at the White House, according to the Philippine Embassy in Washington.

“Our meeting with Ambassador Bolton provided us with an opportunity to discuss how we could work together to further strengthen our security alliance,” Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez said.

During the meeting, Secretary Esperon expressed Manila’s gratitude for the assistance Washington extended during last year’s siege in Marawi, and its commitment to contribute to the rehabilitation of the city.

Ambassador Romualdez said Secretary Esperon also discussed with National Security Adviser Bolton issues related to terrorism and other regional security concerns, such as the situation in the South China Sea and the Korean Peninsula.

The meeting was the first Bolton, who once served as the Permanent Representative of the U.S. to the United Nations, had with Filipino officials since his appointment as National Security Adviser by U.S. President Donald J. Trump in April. END

For more information, visit www.washingtonpe.dfa.gov.ph/ www.philippineembassy-usa.org or https://www.facebook