US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrived Thursday in the Philippines for an overnight visit during which she was expected to discuss security issues with the country"s top officials, dpa reported. Clinton was met at Manila"s Ninoy Aquino International Airport by Philippine officials headed by Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo. About 5,000 police were deployed around the Philippine capital as leftist activists were to hold protests against Clinton"s visit and what they allege to be US intervention in Philippine affairs. Clinton was to meet with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for a dinner later in the day. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Arroyo and Clinton would discuss US military assistance to the Philippines and the participation of American troops in relief and rescue operations during the recent typhoons that battered the country. -- SPA
