Mali, July 23 -- Malacanang on Friday said the Philippines will continue engaging the United States following Washington's decision to impose an additional 12.5-percent tariff on Manila due to alleged failure to prevent the entry of goods produced with forced labor.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Philippines respects the U.S.'s latest move, but stressed that Manila has a "strong" policy against forced labor.

"We take note of the US decision and respect its processes. During the review, however, we emphasized that the Philippines has a strong policy against forced labor," Castro said in a statement.

Castro noted that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Finance and Department of Labor and Employment si...