Harris makes historic Palawan trip

Rebuilding tries: Harris speaking to locals at Tagburos village, a fishing community in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. — Reuters

US Vice-President Kamala Harris visited a Philippine island near waters claimed by China to show support for the long-time US ally and counter Beijing’s growing influence in the region.

Harris is the highest-ranking US official ever to visit the western island of Palawan, the closest Philippine landmass to the Spratly archipelago in the hotly contested South China Sea.