“A proposed troop access deal between the Philippines and Britain marks the latest step in Manila’s drive to draw more European and like-minded powers into its efforts to safeguard the free flow of trade through the South China Sea and neighbouring waterways.”
“The visiting forces agreement would allow troops from both countries to train and operate temporarily on each other’s soil, a move analysts said could deepen the Philippines’ ties with NATO members and reduce its reliance on the US security umbrella.”
“Philippine and British defence officials met in Manila on Thursday last week for the first round of formal negotiations on the pact.”
“It would add Britain to a growing list of Manila’s defence partners with troop access arrangements, following the Philippine Senate’s ratification of similar pacts with Canada and New Zealand in August and with France in March.”
“The Philippines also has a reciprocal access agreement with Japan that came into effect in September last year, while its agreement with Australia has been in force since 2012.”
“If finalised, Britain would become the fourth Nato member to have a troop access agreement with the Philippines, after the United States, France and Canada.”