WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel next week to the Philippines to meet new President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., with Washington expecting a close alliance despite rights concerns. Blinken will meet Marcos in Manila on August 6 as part of efforts “to strengthen the US-Philippines alliance” including on energy and trade, the State Department said. They will also discuss “our shared democratic values,” a statement said. Blinken will […]