Expanded US access to Philippines bases 'not for aggression', defence chief says

Philippine defence chief Carlito Galvez has not publicly identified the sites that would be opened to US access. - AFP

MANILA (Reuters): A decision by the Philippines to grant the United States greater access to its military bases was "not for engaging in war" but meant to enhance its ability to defend itself against external threats, its defence chief said on Thursday (March 2).

"The geopolitical situation is becoming more precarious by the day," Carlito Galvez, office-in-charge of the defence ministry, said in a statement.