Wow for the Month of May 2014 - President Barack Obama Visits the PH "Quotes"





US President Barack Obama arrived in the Philippines on Monday, April 28, and disembarked from Air Force One at 1:41 pm at AGES Aviation Center, Balagbag Ramp in Pasay City.



At a joint press conference in Manila, President Obama insisted the deal was not about thwarting China’s rise.

“Our goal is not to counter China. Our goal is not to contain China. Our goal is to make sure international rules and norms are respected, and that includes in the area of international disputes,”  he said.

"The goal for this agreement is to build Philippine capacity to engage in training, engage in coordination, not simply to deal with issues of maritime security, but also to enhance our capabilities so that if there is a natural disaster that takes place we can respond quickly," Obama told a joint news conference in Manila after talks with President Benigno Aquino.

“Our commitment to defend the Philippines is ironclad and the United States will keep that commitment, because allies never stand alone,”

 Obama told Philippine and US troops at a packed military gymnasium in Fort Bonifacio, as a multiethnic backdrop of camouflaged soldiers stood behind him on stage.

“Through our treaty alliance, the United States has an ironclad commitment to defend you, your security and your independence,”

Obama told an audience of dignitaries in the presidential palace, including President Benigno Aquino III, referring to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between the two nations.



"Let me be absolutely clear. For more than 60 years, the United States and the Philippines have been bound by a mutual defense treaty. And this treaty means our two nations pledge—and I’m quoting—our ‘common determination to defend themselves against external armed attacks, so that no potential aggressor could be under the illusion that either of them stands alone," he said

"Deepening our alliance is part of our broader vision for the Asia Pacific,

 We believe that nations and peoples have the right to live in security and peace, and to have their sovereignty and territorial integrity respected.”  Obama said.

"We believe that international law must be upheld, that freedom of navigation must be preserved and commerce must not be impeded. We believe that disputes must be resolved peacefully and not by intimidation or force. That’s what our nations stand for. That’s the future we’re working for,” Obama said.

“Along with your civilian partners, you rushed into the disaster zone, pulled people from the rubble, delivered food and medicine. You showed what friends can do when we take care of each other,” he said.

“Sadly, the proud service of many of these Filipino veterans was never fully recognized by the United States,” he said. “It was an injustice.”

It was during Obama’s administration that a law was passed the provided compensation to nearly 20,000 Filipino veterans from World War II and their families.

“It was the right thing to do,” Obama said.