By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service
ABOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT, June 4, 2012 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ended a visit to the Philippines today confident the long-standing bonds between Philippine and U.S. forces, forged in battle during World War II, will only deepen in years to come.
Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey had a series of meetings during his day in the Philippine capital, Manila.
The chairman met with U.S. Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr. and his embassy team. Dempsey then engaged with senior Philippine military and civilian leaders, including President Benigno Aquino III, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert Del Rosario, Secretary of National Defense Voltaire Gazmin, and Philippine armed forces Chief of Staff Gen. Jessie Dellosa, along with his military’s three service chiefs.
In a Facebook post describing the day, Dempsey noted the meetings featured an exchange of views on a broad range of bilateral, regional, and global issues, including maritime security.
“I ended my visit at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, where I presented a wreath to pay my respects to the service members -- American and Filipino -- who gave their lives during the Philippines campaign of World War II,” the general wrote in his post. “The bond between our armed forces continues to this day, and it will strengthen in the future.”