28/04/2014 15:34
US, Philippines sign military pact
US President Barack Obama says that a new US-Philippine military pact will promote stability in the region, the BBC reported.
The deal, signed in Manila hours before Mr Obama touched down, allows a bigger US military presence in the country.
Mr Obama said the deal was not intended to contain China, with whom Manila is embroiled in a bitter territorial row.
But he backed Manila's move to seek UN arbitration over its maritime dispute with Beijing.
"Our goal is not to counter China. Our goal is not to contain China. Our goal is to make sure international rules and norms are respected and that includes in the area of international disputes," he said.