The Philippines on Thursday announced an improvement in the military relationship between the country and the United States, as they approved more American military presence in the country.
The announcement was made in a joint statement by the representatives of both countries.
It was disclosed that both countries have agreed to facilitate the total implementation of sharing military ideas and knowledge through combined training, military exercises, and interoperability.
Representing the United States, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also announced the allocation of $82m towards improving military infrastructure, and also to expand their military presence to another base in the country.
Austin also stresses that the US is ready to increase its supply of advanced military weapons to the country, to bolster joint training with South Korean forces.
The move by the US is believed to deter China’s aggressive actions towards Taiwan and the disputed South China Sea.