US Ambassador Kristie Kenny said she would soon be visiting the province's rice terraces and give financial assistance to Ifugao’s cultural preservation program.
But Kenny stressed she is not going to the province while the trial of slain US Peace Corps volunteer Julie Campbell's case continues even as she hopes for a speedy and fair hearing.
Campbell was found dead in Barangay Battad on April 18, 10 days after she went hiking alone in the area. A native of the place, Juan Dontugan, admitted killing Campbell, and is now detained while the trial on the murder charge file against him is ongoing.
"I will be visiting the (province) to donate fund for the preservation of the rice terraces but I have to be careful not to be there during the trial of the case," Kenny said.
The US Embassy is pursuing projects for cultural preservation in the Philippines, one of them the conservation of the famous Ifugao rice terraces.
Kenny was in Baguio for the Veterans' Day ceremonies at the ambassador's residence on Tuesday, where she thanked the war veterans for their "sacrifices to keep every community free and strong." (JC)
