Philippines, Japan sign defense pact to seal South China Sea ties
MANILA -- The Philippines and Japan signed a historic troop access agreement on Monday in Manila that closens relations between two nations determined to counter threats posed by China's growing influence in the Pacific.
"In the purview of ... maintaining an open, inclusive and rules-based international order based on international law, we have signed an instrument of trust today," Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said in his opening statement to two-plus-two foreign and defense talks with Japan.