The United States and the Philippines signed a crucial agreement Monday to facilitate the secure exchange of highly sensitive military intelligence and technology related to advanced weaponry, The Associated Press reports.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Philippine counterpart, Gilberto Teodoro, inked the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) in Manila, a move signifying a significant deepening of the two countries’ long-standing defense cooperation.
The agreement comes amid growing concerns over China’s increasingly assertive actions in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in the disputed South China Sea. The Biden administration has been actively strengthening military alliances across the Indo-Pacific to counter China’s influence, a strategy aligned with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s focus on bolstering his country’s defenses in the face of escalating tensions with Beijing.
While neither side released the full text of the GSOMIA, two anonymous Philippine security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, told the news agenccy that the pact will allow the US to provide the Philippines with more sophisticated weapons systems, including missile technology, and high-level intelligence. This includes access to US satellite and drone surveillance capabilities, with strict protocols to ensure the confidentiality of this sensitive information.
The lack of such an intelligence-sharing agreement has previously hampered the Philippines’ ability to acquire advanced weaponry from the US. The officials cited the 2017 Marawi siege, where Philippine forces, aided by US and Australian spy planes, fought against ISIS-aligned militants. The new agreement aims to prevent similar limitations in future conflicts.
The signing of the GSOMIA was coupled with a groundbreaking ceremony for a new joint operations center, where US and Philippine militaries will coordinate future activities, including information sharing. Secretary Austin described the center as a place where “our forces can work side-by-side to respond to regional challenges,” while Secretary Teodoro emphasized that it would provide “a unified picture” of shared responsibilities and approaches to threats. Teodoro reiterated the importance of the US security presence in the region, echoing President Marcos’s statements on its essential role in maintaining peace and stability.
