US to boost military alliance with Philippines as South China Sea tensions grow

United States Defence Secretary Mark Esper on Tuesday vowed more support for the Philippines in efforts to modernise the country’s military and improve maritime security as tensions build over the disputed South China Sea.Esper, who was in Manila for a one-day visit, said he and Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana discussed various ways to strengthen cooperation and further boost the two countries’ decades-old alliance.“The United States will continue to support and to help modernise…