MANILA, Philippines US President Barack Obama is set to visit a coastal facility in the

Philippines as the Southeast Asian country faces a dispute with China over the West Philippine
Sea (South China Sea).
US deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes said Obama is going to a coastal facility in the
Philippines to showcase our maritime cooperation with the Philippines.
This trip is scheduled on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit
(APEC) in Manila. (READ: APEC what? An explainer on Manilas high-profile week)
To attend the summit, Obama is visiting the Philippines from Tuesday, November 17, to Friday,
November 20.
Philippine government sources told Rappler that Obama is planning to visit a US frigate in the
Philippines, likely in Subic.
Rhodes, also assistant to the US president, said Obamas outdoor event on Tuesday showcases
US maritime security assistance to the Philippines and the region.
For 'peaceful resolution of disputes'
And clearly, in our alliance with the Philippines and our focus in the region, we have been
committed to maritime security, to principles like freedom of navigation, and to the peaceful
resolution of disputes. And, again, this event will be an opportunity for the President to
showcase some of that maritime security assistance, Rhodes said.
Obamas visit comes as the Philippines and China remain locked in a dispute over the West
Philippine Sea. (READ: Sea rows 'central issue' in Obama Asia visit)
The Philippines and China, however, both said the sea dispute should be downplayed during the
mainly economic APEC Summit. (READ: APEC seating arrangement to allow Aquino, Xi to
meet)
On the sidelines of the APEC Summit, Obama and 11 other world leaders will also meet to
discuss the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a landmark deal creating the worlds largest free trade area.
Founded in 1989, APEC is the highest-level, most influential forum in the Asia-Pacific.
By hosting APEC, the Philippines aims to showcase its booming economy, even as critics slam
the P9.8-billion ($208-million) price tag of this regional summit. with a report from Agence
France-Presse/Rappler.com