US Secretary of State John Kerry to visit Phl this month

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State John Kerry will visit the Philippines this month to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to helping the Southeast Asian nation rebuild after a devastating typhoon.

State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said Kerry spoke Tuesday with Philippines Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario who thanked the U.S. for its "overwhelming support" in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan that struck the central Philippines Nov. 8, killing nearly 5,600 people and displacing 3.8 million.

The U.S. has provided about $60 million in aid.

Kerry told del Rosario the U.S. "will continue to stand by the Philippines during this difficult time." Harf said they will also discuss a wide range of bilateral and regional issues.

Kerry was forced to postpone a trip to the Philippines in October because an earlier typhoon was approaching.