WASHINGTON >> President Barack Obama will meet with Philippine President Benigno Aquino III on June 8 at the White House.

The White House says Obama looks forward to discussing the strategic, economic and “people to people” ties between the U.S. and the Philippines and their cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Obama has said the U.S. needs to deepen its engagement in the fast-growing Asia Pacific region, calling it critical to the nation’s security and economic prosperity. The Philippines is a longtime ally of the United States.