-(ABS-CBN News 28/4) Obama won't commit US against China: US President Barack Obama on Monday did not give a firm commitment to defend the Philippines if China attacks it over maritime disputes in the South China Sea. –(PhilStar 28/4) Obama: 'Our goal is not to counter China'

-(Philippine Daily Inquirer 28/4) Amicable settlement of maritime row tougher to achieve with new PH-US defense pact: An amicable solution to the territorial dispute between the Philippines and China will become more difficult to achieve, or even impossible, because of the defense agreement signed by Philippines and the United States (US), China’s state-run Xinhua news agency said in a commentary Monday.

-(Channel NewsAsia 28/4) Obama heads to Philippines as defence pact inked:US President Barack Obama heads to the Philippines Monday for the most complex leg of his Asian tour balancing act of reassuring allies wary of a rising China while avoiding antagonising Beijing. -(Channel NewsAsia 27/4) Defence cooperation to top agenda in Obama’s Philippine visit

 -(Rappler 26/4) Dismounting China from the South China Sea

-(The Washington Post 27/4) U.S., Philippines to sign 10-year defense agreement amid rising tensions: The United States and the Philippines will sign a new, 10-year defense agreement Monday, officials said, one of the clearest signs yet of renewed American engagement in the region at a time when tensions between China and its neighbors have been rising.

-(AP 27/4) US, Philippines reach deal on miliary accord: The U.S. military will have greater access to bases across the Philippines under a new 10-year agreement set to be signed Monday in conjunction with President Barack Obama's visit and seen as an effort by Washington to counter Chinese aggression in the region.

-(Wall Street Journal 27/4) U.S. Beefs Up Military Options for China as Obama Reassures Allies in Asia: The U.S. military has prepared options for a muscular response to any future Chinese provocations in the South and East China seas, ranging from displays of B-2 bomber flights near China to aircraft-carrier exercises near its coastal waters, officials said. –(SCMP 27/4) Beijing should reconsider its South China Sea claims

-(New Strait Times 27/4) Najib, Obama affirm importance of safeguarding maritime security: Malaysia and the United States have affirmed the importance of safeguarding maritime security and ensuring freedom of navigation and over flight throughout the region, including critical waterways in the South China Sea.