A US military presence in Asia is needed as the rivalry between Washington and Beijing intensifies, said the Philippines Foreign Minister Teodoro Locsin.

According to his interview with ANC News Channel, they have a problem with the balance of power.

The United States is interested in maintaining a military presence in the region, he said, and the Philippines has never stopped cooperating with its longtime security ally.

In June, President Rodrigo Duterte suspended his decision to terminate the troop deployment agreement with the US.

The two countries have rekindled close ties since 2000 with military exercises, frequent visits, and assistance against communist and Muslim insurgents.

The Philippines has expressed more than one protest against China's actions in the South China Sea. The latter concerned the confiscation of equipment by Philippine fishermen in the disputed lagoon by China.