US and Philippines to discuss key military pact -- and future of alliance

Visiting Forces Agreement is crucial to power projection in the South China Sea

Philippine and U.S. special forces free-fall jumpers leap from a KC-130J in a live-fire exercise above the Philippines. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command)

CLIFF VENZON and KEN MORIYASU, Nikkei staff writers

February 9, 2021 02:40 JST

Updated on February 9, 2021 05:59 JST

MANILA/NEW YORK -- Officials from the Philippines and the U.S. are set to meet later this month to discuss the future of their Visiting Forces Agreement, a military pact crucial to their defense alliance, Manila's top diplomat said on Monday.