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Philippines: Aquino calls for visiting forces agreement with Abe’s Japan

FILIPINO President Benigno Aquino said yesterday that he wanted Japan to station troops in his country.

On a state visit to Japan, Mr Aquino proposed talks on a visiting forces agreement for the first time since Japan’s occupation of the Philippines during World War II.

Manila already has similar deals with the US and Australia.

The Philippines and Japan have already signed a a strategic partnership agreement and said they would start talks on trading Japanese military hardware and technology, while bolstering exercises and operations between their militaries.

Tokyo will deliver 10 patrol ships for the Filipino coastguard and also promised to upgrade Manila’s surveillance and defence capability.

Japanese President Shinzo Abe has moved in recent months to redefine the post-war constitution forbidding forces to operate abroad, prompting protests.

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