WASHINGTON - The nominee to be the US ambassador to the Philippines called Tuesday for free and peaceful elections and hoped for progress on corruption and human rights concerns.

Harry Thomas impressed his Senate confirmation hearing by speaking briefly in the Filipino tongue of Tagalog, and pledged to nurture the "long-standing friendship" between the United States and the Philippines.

Thomas, a career foreign service officer, said that while the United States respected its former colony's right to choose its own leaders, it also wanted to encourage a fair process.

"If confirmed, I will work to press the Philippines to ensure that we have free and fair elections in May without violence, which has been a problem in the past," Thomas testified.

"We have to work to ensure we eliminate, along with the Philippines, private armies that have hindered past elections."

Thomas said the Philippines "has made great strides" in addressing human rights.

"But we will continue to press for more progress in eliminating extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances and human trafficking, and convicting and prosecuting those responsible for these abuses," he said.

Thomas, who served as ambassador to Bangladesh from 2003 to 2005, said he would also work with the Philippines to fight corruption and protect intellectual property rights, a key concern for US businesses.

Thomas said he supported a greater role for the Philippines, praising the nation for its leadership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its calls for political reforms in military-ruled Myanmar.

"The Philippines is well-positioned to help lead efforts to meet regional and global challenges, and we stand ready to assist," he said.