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MANILA — After a rocky patch of 25 years, the United States and thePhilippines will solidify a new, increasingly complex military relationship this week, driven partly by China’s assertive actions in the South China Sea.
An agreement that allows the United States to build facilities at five Philippine military bases will spread more American troops, planes and ships across the island nation than have been here in decades....

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter arrived in the Philippines on Wednesday to highlight strong and growing military relations with a crucial Southeast Asian ally as China assertively pursues its claims in the South China Sea.
Carter's visit comes as the two countries conduct joint military exercises and on the heels of an agreement that allows a U.S. military presence at five Philippine bases, one of which Carter plans to visit on this week's trip....

WASHINGTON – China will be able to project “substantial offensive military power” from artificial islands it has built in the South China Sea’s disputed Spratly Islands within months, the director of US national intelligence said.
In a Feb. 23 letter to John McCain, chair of the US Senate Armed Services Committee, James Clapper said Chinese land reclamation and construction work in the Spratlys had established infrastructure needed “to project military capabilities in the South...

Malacañang on Friday chose not to answer the Chinese government’s warning against the lease of five training aircraft from Japan.
Asked for reaction on foreign ministry spokesperson Hong Lei’s statement that “China is resolutely opposed” to the Philippines’ actions, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said, “It is the duty of the government to continuously develop our...