Secretary Gates Lays Wreath at American Cemetery in Taguig.

June 1, 2009

United States Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (second, left) and U.S. Ambassador Kristie Kenney (right) step out of the chapel of the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Fort Bonifacio where he laid a wreath and paid respect to the memory of U.S. and Filipino servicemen laid to rest there.  The cemetery was Secretary Gates’ first stop upon arrival in Manila on June 1 for a meeting with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.  In a statement to the media following their meeting at Camp Aguinaldo, Secretary Gates acknowledged the courage and adaptability of the Philippine military in meeting the security challenges in the country and the region in recent years, and reiterated the two countries’ partnership as well as continuing U.S. support in fighting terrorism in the region.