Philippines, U.S. ink new military pact

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The Philippines and the United States signed on Monday a 10-year defense pact that would expand the rotational presence of U.S. forces in the country.

The "Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement" (EDCA) was signed by Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg.

"The signing of EDCA between the Philippines and the United States affirms the robust and enduring strategic partnership between the two countries,"said Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. in a statement.

The EDCA was signed after nearly two years of "intensive" negotiations between U.S. and Philippine panels.