APnewsbreak: US, Philippines reach deal on troops

[xchrom]

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/apnewsbreak-officials-say-us-philippines-reach-10-year-deal-larger-us-military-presence


FILE - In this Oct. 9, 2012 file photo, U.S. Marines fix their tents as they arrive at Crow Valley, Tarlac province in northern Philippines, to take part in the joint U.S.-Philippines amphibious landing exercise, dubbed PHIBLEX 2013. Filipino officials and a confidential government document say that the United States and the Philippines on Sunday, April 27, 2014 reached a 10-year pact that will allow a larger American military presence in the country. It will give U.S. troops temporary access to local military camps where they can preposition fighter jets and warships. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The United States and the Philippines have reached a 10-year pact that would allow a larger U.S. military presence in this Southeast Asian nation as it grapples with increasingly tense territorial disputes with China, according to two Philippine officials and a confidential government primer seen by The Associated Press on Sunday.

The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, which would give American forces temporary access to selected military camps and allow them to preposition fighter jets and ships, is due to be signed Monday at the main military camp in the Philippine capital, Manila, shortly before the arrival of President Barack Obama, the officials said. Obama's visit is the last leg of a four-country Asian tour that also took him to Japan, South Korea and Malaysia.

The two officials spoke with the AP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss details of the pact ahead of its signing.

The defense accord is a new milestone in the longtime treaty allies' relationship and would help address their respective dilemmas. With its anemic military, the Philippines has struggled to bolster its territorial defense amid China's increasingly assertive behavior in the disputed South China Sea. Manila's effort has dovetailed with Washington's intention to pivot away from years of heavy military engagement in the Middle East to Asia, partly as a counterweight to China's rising clout.

[gordianot]

1. How convenient to stage a return when needed.

Yankees comeback.

[Jesus Malverde]

2. It's ironic isn't it.

We build up china into a regional threat only to have the phillipines and japan back to begging us for help.

Next we'll prop up north korea with food aid so it doesn't collapse into a pile of dung and south korea finds no use for our troops.

Opps ..

[xchrom]

3. !

of course -- i just wanna know -- how much? how much is this 'pivot' gonna cost?