US President Barack Obama Arrives in PHL

United States President Barack Obama on board the US Air Force One landed in Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City at 1:38 pm Monday.

Obama will be in the country for two days as part of his first-ever state visit to the Philippines.

The US President was welcomed by Vice President Jejomar Binay, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, and US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg.

The US President will meet with President Benigno Aquino III around 2:30 pm in Malacañang , which will be followed by a joint media briefing.

Obama jogged down the steps of the Air Force One to board the Presidential chopper Marine One that will take him to Malacañang.

Since the US President’s visit is an official state visit, the US President will be accorded full military honors, including a 21-gun salute, at the Palace, reports said.

Obama’s visit coincided with the signing of the agreement that will allow an enlarged rotational presence of American troops in the country. The deal was signed hours before the arrival of US President Barack Obama, reports said.

Earlier, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and US Ambassador Philip Goldberg signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City in a short 15-minute ceremony.

Source: Gma News Online, PNA

Image Credit: www.rappler.com