The leaders of Japan and the Philippines agreed Tuesday on the start of discussions to pave the way for key security pacts, aiming to further strengthen their security ties with China in mind.Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed at their talks in Manila that their governments will initiate discussions on an intelligence-sharing deal, recognizing "the importance of its early conclusion," according to Japan's Foreign Ministry.The two also agreed to enter negotiations to sign an acquisition and cross-servicing pact to simplify the proce…READ FULL ARTICLE