The Philippines on Monday formally signed an important defense agreement with Japan. The agreement allows the two countries to send troops to each other, while strengthening ties to counter increasing pressure from China.
Both countries have long been allies of the United States, strengthening alliances to counter China's territorial claims in the Pacific.
The agreement—which also allows for more joint combat drills—was approved by the Philippine Senate without objection or abstention, according to Senate President Francis Escudero.
Lawmakers in Tokyo also need to approve the deal before it can go into effect, according to the Japanese embassy.
"The ratification of this agreement is proof of the strategic relationship between the two countries and their goal to strengthen the contribution to peace, security, and stability in the region and at the global level," according to the Senate's statement.
"The agreement will expand defense cooperation between the Philippines and Japan, particularly in the maritime domain, amid shared security challenges."
Negotiators from the two countries finalized the agreement in July, after seven months of talks.
Although Japan occupied the Philippines during World War II, today both countries are allies of the United States and both are at odds with China.
About 54,000 American troops are based in Japan, but it is at loggerheads with China over islands in the East China Sea controlled by Tokyo.
Meanwhile, Philippine and Chinese ships often clash in a disputed shoal occupied by Beijing from Manila in 2012.
Between Japan and the Philippines, tensions are growing in Taiwan. Beijing claims the self-ruled island as part of China and has not ruled out using force to back up its claim.
China claims most of the South China Sea, through which $5 trillion in goods pass annually, and has ignored an international ruling that says its claim has no legal basis.
