MANILA, Oct 9: Philippine and US officials signed an agreement on Friday granting benefits to Filipino soldiers being trained in the United States — a sweetener for an earlier pact that would allow a resumption of large joint military exercises in the Philippines, reports AP.

The earlier pact, the Visiting Forces Agreement, was signed in February but must be approved by the Philippine Senate. Church and leftist groups have opposed the agreement and demanded the return of US forces.

Foreign Secretary Domingo Siazon said the second agreement, which needs no ratification. will take effect only after the VFA is approved.