MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine officials say they will make sure that an increased presence of U.S. troops in the country does not become permanent and is meant to help the Philippines modernize its military.
The foreign and defense secretaries told reporters today that negotiations with Washington will start this week on an accord that will allow an increased rotation of U.S. forces and prepositioning of combat equipment. The plan is in line with the realignment of American troops in the Asia-Pacific, and comes as China, the Philippines and several other nations are locked in territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin says the wider U.S. troop presence will comply with the constitution, which bans foreign military bases, and will not be permanent.
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