Student activists hold an anti-US rally near the U.S. Embassy in Manila Wednesday while talks were held over expanding the U.S. military presence in the country.
The United States is seeking to boost its military presence in the Philippines, amid escalating tensions with China.
The two countries have held talks to boost regular visits by US forces to the Philippines, Philippine officials said on Thursday.
If an agreement is reached, US military forces would be allowed on Philippine bases and train jointly with Philippine military units.
“The specific areas where they will be, or the activities and exercises, will be listed, but not the number of troops, not the operational details,” Carlos Sorreta, a senior foreign ministry official, told reporters at the main army base in Manila.
Activists held an anti-US rally near the US Embassy in Manila Wednesday while talks were held over expanding the US military presence in the country.
The Philippines says the deal is to enhance its military’s ability to maintain maritime security and tackle disasters.
China and the Philippines have had recurring standoffs over the disputed territories of the South China Sea. China claims nearly all of the sea, even waters close to the Philippines and other neighbors.
The US has recently increased joint military exercises with the Philippines and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
The increased military presence is part of President Barack ObamaËœs strategic Å“pivot” to Asia, a policy that calls for a stronger U.S. military alliances and increased troop presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
Observers believe Americaâ„¢s effort to increase its presence in the region is aimed at containing China, which has emerged as the biggest threat to the US hegemony.
AHT
Republished from: Press TV