Philippine leader to proceed with US trip despite violence in south

Sep 17, 2008, 4:37 GMT

Manila - Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will push ahead with a trip to the United States she cancelled earlier due to escalating violence in the country's troubled south, her press secretary said Wednesday.

According to Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, Arroyo decided to proceed with the visit to New York to attend the 63rd United Nations General Assembly and other meetings with global leaders.

Dureza said the decision was based on the strong recommendations by Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo and Philippine ambassador to the UN Hilario Davide.

'The president will be able to put forward Philippine concerns on key international issues, and to highlight Philippine progress before the international community,' he said.

Two weeks ago, Dureza announced that Arroyo cancelled the trip to the US to allow her 'to attend to pressing matters at home' following an outbreak of fighting between the military and Muslim separatist rebels in the southern region of Mindanao.

More than 200 people, including nearly 70 civilians, have been killed and more than 500,000 displaced in the hostilities since August, according to the Office of Civil Defence.

Dureza said Arroyo will meet with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the secretary general of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, a major Muslim organization, during her trip to New York.