Philippine President Benigno Aquino III on Monday embarked on a one-week long visit to Britain and the United States to boost economic ties and security cooperation. Aquino will first visit Britain from Monday to Wednesday before travelling to the US, according to a report of DPA. In London, he is scheduled to meet British Prime Minister David Cameron and thank him for Britain's counter-terrorism training for Filipino troops and support for peace talks between the Philippines and Moro Liberation Movement, a Muslim group. In the US, Aquino is to meet with US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. "We will look into our current security cooperation to see how else we can strengthen the Philippines' capability as an ally in ensuring peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region," Aquino said. Before leaving Manila, Aquino met with US General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, and discussed defence and security cooperation. "There was also a discussion on a reiteration of assistance and support for our desire to achieve a minimum credible defence posture," Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said after the meeting.
