MANILA, July 20 (Xinhua) — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will meet in Malacanang, the presidential palace, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who is set to visit the country next week, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Wednesday.

In a statement, the PCO said the meeting of Duterte and Kerry would be "in a bid to strengthen ties" between the two countries.

Kerry will be in Manila on July 26 and 27.

He is also set to meet with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay.