US reaffirms support for RP

WASHINGTON — US assistance for the peace process in Mindanao will remain a priority and its commitment to provide assistance to the Philippines as a friend and ally will be sustained over the long term, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Eric John said.

John gave this assurance to new Philippine ambassador to the United States Willy Gaa when the envoy called on him at the State Department on Wednesday, the Philippine embassy said in a statement.

It was Gaa’s first official meeting with John since succeeding former ambassador Albert del Rosario who returned home early this month after a five-year stint in Washington.

The United States is interested in exploring new initiatives with the Philippines to enhance the ASEAN-US partnership, following the Philippines’ assumption of the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations last month, the statement added.

No details of the "new initiatives" were disclosed.