(VOVworld) – The Philippines has agreed to allow the United States access to its military bases under a new security deal being negotiated by the two allies on Friday.

The US and the Philippines in a joint military exercise (Photo: AFP)

Pio Lorenzo Batino, Filipino defense undersecretary told a news conference said consensus was arrived at on many provisions of the draft agreement. The proposed agreement also allow the Philippines arm forces to access the US’s military bases. This is part of an agreement to enhance security cooperation discussed by the two countries since last August. As planned, the agreement is expected to be completed this month. It is likely to be signed during US President Barack Obama’s upcoming visit to the Philippines next month. The US used to have military bases in the Philippines but in 1991, Manila government did not allow the US to do that due to domestic pressure. But in recent years, the two countries have agreed to allow US’s ships and troops to get access to the Philippines’ military bases.