Philippines to expand US access to military bases

THE United States and the Philippines are expected to announce a deal today that will give US troops access to another four military bases in the southeast Asian nation, as the long-time allies seek to deter Chinese aggression in the region.

The agreement to expand co-operation will be announced during a visit by US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, a senior Philippine official told AFP, and comes as the countries seek to repair ties that were fractured in recent years.