The Philippine government has announced four more locations in the country to be used by US military personnel as part of apparent efforts to better counter China.

The presidential office made the announcement on Monday. The move comes after the countries agreed in February to make four more sites available to US forces on top of the five locations designated under a bilateral deal.

The four locations include a navy base, an army base and a civilian airport, all in the north of Luzon Island. They are close to the Taiwan Strait.

The remaining one is on an island off the southern coast of the western Palawan province. The province faces the South China Sea, where China has in recent years ramped up maritime activities.

The expansion of the US military presence in the Philippines is seen as an attempt by both countries to boost deterrence against escalating Chinese military activities in the region.

Some Philippine leaders, however, are reluctant to allow the US military to expand its presence in the country, as they are worried about being caught up in a feud between the US and China. The governor of Cagayan is opposed to hosting US troops in the province.

The presidential office stressed that those locations are "suitable and mutually beneficial." Officials said the sites would also be used for humanitarian and relief operations in the event of a disaster.