ambassador to the philippines philip goldberg, and philippine defense secretary voltaire gazmin signed the pact at the defense ministry. the ceremony took place during a visit to the pacific island nation by u.s. president barack obama. under the agreement, the u.s. military will regularly send troops to the philippines. the two sides also agreed to build or improve military facilities and infrastructure for joint use. the two countries say the number of u.s. troops to be deployed and specific plans to build new facilities will be decided in further consultations. >>> sources say the u.s. military could gain access do sites in the subic bay area on luzon island, and facilities on palaun island. both locations face the south china sea where china's increasing its maritime activities. the philippines once served as a major military outpost for the united states. but american troops withdrew from the country more than 20 years ago. and the defense ministers of japan and australia have agreed to speed up talks to bolster bilateral security. it follows japan's new principles on the transfer