Obama leaves Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — President Barack Obama left the country before Tuesday noon, concluding his four-nation Asian trip.

The Air Force One, the aircraft carrying the US President, departed from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 11:29 a.m., based on live television footage.

Before boarding the plane, he again shook hands with Philippine government officials, including Vice President Jejomar Binay and Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas.

According to the US Embassy in Manila, Obama will be heading to the Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska where the Air Force One will be refuelling.

Obama's next stop will be the Joint Base Andrews in Prince George's County, Maryland before returning to the White House.

Aside from the Philippines, Obama also visited three other US allies in Asia - Malaysia, Japan and South Korea.

At each stop along the way, the American leader reaffirmed the US treaty commitments to defend its Asian allies, including in their territorial disputes with China.

During his visit to the Philippines, Obama held an expanded bilateral meeting with President Benigno Aquino III and discussed several issues. Both leaders agreed that maritime disputes in the Asia Pacific region should be settled peacefully based on international law.   

In his second day, Obama told Filipino and American soldiers that the US will keep its treaty commitment to defend the Philippines - with AP