Philippines Extend Military Pact With U.S.

Philippine President Duterte has fully restored the visiting forces pact with the U.S., following his talks with U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.

• Regional media had previously noted that the U.S. official will discuss ways to save the military alliance with Manila during his tour of Southeast Asia. Both Lloyd Austin and Duterte noted that they see room for boosting relations as they emerged from bilateral talks.
• The announcement comes at a time when Sino-Philippine tensions over disputed parts of the South China Sea continue to simmer. For context, Duterte last year announced his willingness to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement with the U.S., but the pact has been extended multiple times since, as Manila and Beijing traded barbs over the disputed waters.
• Lloyd Austin holds a joint press briefing with his Philippine counterpart at typing, click here to watch it online.