MANILA, Philippines — The U.S. military will have greater access to bases across the Philippines under a 10-year agreement set to be signed Monday in conjunction with President Barack Obama’s visit and seen as an effort by Washington to counter Chinese aggression in the region.
U.S. and Filipino officials confirmed the deal ahead of Obama’s stop and portrayed it is as a central part of his week-long Asia swing.
The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement would give American forces temporary access to selected military camps and allow them to pre-position fighter jets and ships. It was to be signed Monday at the main military camp in the Philippine capital, Manila, before Obama arrived on the last leg of a four-country Asian tour, after stops in Japan, South Korea and Malaysia. The Associated Press
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