The Philippines and the United States have signed a significant military intelligence-sharing deal, deepening their defense partnership amidst growing regional security concerns. On Monday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro formalized the agreement at the Philippine military headquarters in Manila. The deal, called the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), will allow both countries to exchange classified military information securely.
During the ceremony, the two leaders also inaugurated a coordination center aimed at enhancing collaboration between their armed forces. Austin emphasized that the agreement would strengthen the defense ties between the two nations, especially in addressing the rising security challenges posed by China’s activities in the South China Sea.
The GSOMIA agreement marks a further expansion of security cooperation between the US and the Philippines, which has grown under the leadership of President Joe Biden and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The move comes as both countries are focused on countering China’s aggressive actions in the region, particularly regarding territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
China expressed concerns about the deal, asserting that military agreements should not harm the interests of third parties or escalate tensions. However, both the US and the Philippines are committed to strengthening their alliance, underscored by their 1951 mutual defense treaty.