The scheduled trip of US President Barack Obama to the Philippines has been cancelled, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed Wednesday.
In a statement DFA Spokesperson Raul Hernandez said the White House on Wednesday confirmed he will not be able to push through with his visit to Manila, originally set on Oct. 11 to 12.
"This morning, United States President Barack Obama conveyed to President Benigno S. Aquino III that he regrets that he will not be able to push through with his visit to Manila this month," the statement read.
It would have been the US President's first visit to the country.
Hernandez said President Aquino understands the decision of the White House to cancel the trip, but stressed relations between the two countries "remain strong and forward-looking."
Palace Communications Sec. Ricky Carandang also issued a statement saying "We fully understand the reason for President Obama's cancellation and look forward to welcoming him to the Philippines at a more opportune time."
The scheduled trips of Obama to four Asian countries this month were cancelled due to the US government shutdown, following Congress' failure to agree on a new budget.
Aside from the Philippines, he was originally scheduled to leave in 4 days to visit Indonesia, Brunei and Malaysia as part of his "engagement" with Asia Pacific.
Obama will still push through, however, with his visit to Brunei and Indonesia, the venue for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
The US considers the Philippines, where it previously set up 2 large military bases, an ally in the region.
