The United States Embassy in Manila Sunday disclosed that US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas has arrived in the country during the weekend to assume his post as replacement of Kristie Kenney, the first female US Ambassador to the Philippines, who ended her tour of duty earlier this year.

“Yes, he arrived late [Saturday] night at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA),” US Embassy press attaché Rebecca Thompson said. She did not elaborate.

Thomas is the first African-American to assume the post as the US Ambassador to the Philippines.
The US Senate has confirmed Thomas’s nomination on March 19 as the new US Ambassador to the Philippines. Thomas was nominated by President Barack Obama on Nov. 19 last year.

According to the US Embassy in Manila, Harry K. Thomas Jr. is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service and served most recently as Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources.