MANILA – The United States has affirmed full support for the Philippines in its fight against terrorism, and is ready to assist even when the siege of Marawi ends, in terms of rehabilitating the once-bustling Islamic city ravaged by a 6-week-old war.
The assurance of support was conveyed by US Ambassador Sung Y. Kim to President Rodrigo Duterte when they met in Malacañang Palace Monday (July 3).
According to presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella, Ambassador Kim also informed Duterte of the US government’s approval of the duty-free entry to America of a wide range of Philippine products, a move seen to spur 70,000 domestic jobs in the Philippines and boost revenue by P5 billion annually.
Kim also congratulated Duterte on the success of the Philippines’ campaign against human trafficking, which has complied with international standards.
Overall, the Duterte-Kim meeting was quite productive, Abella said.
“The ambassador reiterated the US government’s full support for the Philippine government operations in Marawi as well as its reconstruction and rehabilitaion efforts in Marawi City,” Abella told reporters Tuesday.
