Obama leaves PH, caps 4-nation Asia tour

US President Barack Obama has left the Philippines on Tuesday following a 2-day state visit. Obama boarded the Air Force One at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) past 11 a.m. Before boarding the Air force One, Obama bid farewell to a contingent from the Aquino government, including Vice President Jejomar Binay, US Ambassador Philip Goldberg, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr., and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino. The US President started day two of his state visit by attending the launch of the City Optimized Managed Electric Transport (COMET) e-jeepney project at Sofitel. He later honored American and Filipino soldiers and veterans in his speech at the Philippine Army Gymnasium in Fort Bonifacio. Obama also visited the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Taguig for a wreath-laying ceremony. Obama's visit to the Philippines caps his four-nation tour which also took him to Japan, South Korea and Malaysia. ANC, April 29, 2014