MANILA, Philippines — Arizona Senator John McCain, along with three other United States senators, Tuesday arrived in Manila for a meeting with top government officials, including Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.

Aside from McCain, the group includes Joseph Lieberman (Connecticut), Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island) and Kelly Ayotte (New Hampshire). They were scheduled to call on President Benigno Aquino III at Malacañang after the meeting.

US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. accompanied the delegation, as he did a delegation from the US House of Representatives over the weekend.

The delegation was led by US House Committee on Appropriations chairman Representative Harold Rogers, together with Representatives Norman D. Dicks, Ander Crenshaw, Rodney Alexander, Steven C. LaTourette, Tom Cole, and Michael K. Simpson.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said that the agenda between the US delegation and the Secretary will include "existing relations between the Philippines and the US."

But diplomatic sources revealed additional topics to be discussed may include terror threats, human trafficking, peace talks, and the rising role of China in the region and the world.

A press conference has been scheduled at the US Embassy later in the day.

It will be recalled that McCain expressed his agreement on the Philippine's call for the US to step up efforts in supporting Southeast Asian countries on the issue of sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.

The former Republican presidential candidate said that the US should assist the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in developing and deploying an early warning system and coastal vessels in the areas being disputed.

McCain also emphasized the importance of diplomacy and a unified effort in helping ASEAN address differences with China.

He also agreed that a multilateral approach is vital in resolving differences among the claimant nations.

The senator also supported a rules-based regime and a binding agreement to preserve the peace in the region.

McCain added that the best way to prevent conflict is to build capabilities and undertake joint operations.

Furthermore, he reiterated the US government’s support for the Philippines which he considers the first democracy in Asia and a close treaty ally of the US.