MANILA — The Philippines said Thursday it was looking to give the United States and Japan greater access to its military bases as it seeks to counter what it perceives as a rising security threat from China.
The government is initially drafting a plan that would allow US forces to spend more time on Filipino bases, something that could be offered to Japan’s military later, Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said.
“If and when there is agreement on the access, then there will be equipment coming in from the (United) States,” Gazmin told a joint news conference in Manila after meeting with visiting Japan Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera.
“Now as far as Japan is concerned, we do welcome other countries — particularly Japan since Japan is a strategic partner — in accordance with our existing protocols.”
President Benigno Aquino had already stated that the Philippines would welcome an increased US military presence, amid tense disputes with China over competing claims to parts of the South China Sea.
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