MANILA: The Philippines ratified on Monday a key defence pact with Japan, which allows them to deploy troops on each other´s soil as they boost ties to bolster against China´s growing pressure.
Both countries are longtime allies of the United States, which has been strengthening an arc of alliances to deter China´s disputed territorial claims in the Pacific. The pact -- which also allows for increased joint combat drills -- was ratified by the Philippine senate with no negative votes or abstentions, Senate President Francis Escudero said.
