MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) – The visit of US President Barack Obama to the Philippines will further strengthen the alliance between the two countries, a senior government official said today.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said Philippine President Benigno Aquino III will meet with Obama to discuss ways to expand security and economic ties between the two countries. The United States is a long-time ally of the Philippines.

The White House confirmed on Wednesday that Obama will visit the Philippines, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Malaysia in late April.

Read more: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/02/13/1289989/obamas-visit-strengthen-phl-us-ties-official