Obama cancels scheduled visit to Manila

Manila, Philippines - US President Barack Obama cancels a scheduled visit to the country due to the ongoing US government shutdown.

The American president was supposed to make his first trip to Manila in October 11 as part of a four-country ASEAN tour.

"United States President Barack Obama conveyed to President Benigno S. Aquino III that he regrets that he will not be able to push through with his visit to Manila this month. President Obama explains that this is because of issues relating to the US Government shutdown," the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

Meanwhile, the White House said Secretary of State John Kerry will take Obama’s place to visit the country. Obama had been due to travel to Bali for APEC, Brunei for the East Asia summit, and then tour Malaysia and the Philippines.

Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office head Ramon Ricky Carandang said Obama told Aquino through a phone call that he will still visit the country within his second term and is already looking forward for the trip.