US vows ‘unwavering’ commitment

Allies again: Harris speaking with Marcos Jr at Malacanang Palace in Manila soon after arriving. — AP

THE United States has an “unwavering” commitment to the Philippines, US Vice-President Kamala Harris told the country’s president during a visit aimed at countering China and rebuilding ties that were fractured over human rights abuses in the South-East Asian nation.

Harris is the highest-ranking US official to visit Manila since President Ferdinand Marcos took power in June, signalling a growing rapport between the longtime allies after years of frosty relations under his Beijing-friendly predecessor Rodrigo Duterte.