Philippines agrees to provide US with expanded access to its military bases

To counter China’s aggressive territorial posturing in the South China Sea, the Philippines has agreed to provide the United States with expanded access to its military bases.

With this step, US forces will have a greater strategic footing on the southeastern edge of the South China Sea close to self-ruled Taiwan. The newly announced deal will give the US access to four more locations under an Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement dating 2014. It will allow the US to rotate troops to a total of nine bases throughout the Philippines. The US has in recent months, stepped up efforts to expand its Indo-Pacific security options amid rising concerns over China’s growing activities in the region.