Japan, Philippines leaders vow to deepen security ties, intelligence sharing

Manila: The leaders of Japan and the Philippines pledged in Manila on Tuesday to deepen security ties, including increased intelligence sharing, as th...

Manila: The leaders of Japan and the Philippines pledged in Manila on Tuesday to deepen security ties, including increased intelligence sharing, as they grapple with territorial disputes with China.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, on his first visit to the Philippines since assuming office in October, said both leaders opposed "attempts to change the status quo in the East China Sea and the South China Sea by force or coercion".

The two countries have previously signed a visiting forces agreement, which has been ratified by the Philippine Senate, allowing them to station troops on each others' soil.

"We agreed to start negotiations on an acquisition and cross-servicing agreement," Ishiba said after his meeting with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos on Tuesday.

Such deals have typically involved the transfer of supplies and services between militaries.