Philippine president starts 7-day visit to UK, US

MANILA - Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III left on Monday for a seven-day official visit to the United Kingdom and the United States to enhance cooperation with the two countries and seek more foreign investments.

In his departure message, Aquino said he is set to hold bilateral meetings with British Prime Minister David Cameron and US President Barack Obama.

"Rest assured, that in our seven-day visit to the UK and the US, we will focus on the welfare of our people," he said.

Aquino's visit to the UK is his first since he assumed the presidency in 2010.

He was accompanied by eight other Philippine government officials and 27 businessmen.