US Pacific Fleet commander visits Philippines

Commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet Admiral Harry Harris Jr. arrived in Manila, Philippines, on Monday for his first official visit to the Philippines. During the visit, Harris is scheduled to meet with U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg, make an office call on Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano, Flag-Officer-In-Command, at the headquarters of the Philippine Navy, and visit Philippine Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, according to U.S. Embassy in Manila. Harris will use this opportunity to discuss the "strong and enduring" relationships between the U.S. and Philippine navies, the implications of the U.S. military's rebalance to the Pacific and the importance of naval engagement and cooperation for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, the U.S. Embassy said.