Kyodo News InternationalAugust 24, 2013 05:17
U.S., Philippines to boost military ties to secure SE Asia sea lanes




The armed forces of the Philippines and the United States vowed Saturday to step up cooperation in military operations to protect freedom of navigation in Southeast Asia sea lanes.

Manila and Washington have agreed to "strengthen the South Asia security environment in a manner that protects the interests of all who value unimpeded commerce transiting through the maritime domain," a statement signed by the top military officers of the two countries said.

Army Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, chief of staff of the Philippine Armed Forces, and Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, signed the document in Washington on Thursday.

The agreement was forged amid simmering territorial disputes in the South China Sea that pit China against the Philippines and some other countries in the region.

The militaries of the United States and the Philippines plan to establish "a joint posture that assures freedom of navigation and provides for the common defense of each nation's sovereignty," the statement said.

The statement said the militaries of the two countries will conduct "high-quality training exercises" and speed up response to contingencies from natural or man-made disasters.

The Philippines is currently negotiating with the United States a framework agreement that will allow more U.S. access to Philippine military facilities and increased rotation of U.S. troops in the country, a move aimed at boosting the Philippines' defense capabilities.

After fortifying its naval outposts in the South China Sea, China has established a maritime surveillance patrol route that covers practically all disputed reefs, shoals and islets in the region, according to a classified military report seen by Kyodo News.

==Kyodo

Copyright 2013 Kyodo News International.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/n...e-se-asia-sea-


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