US and Philippines sign military intelligence sharing agreement

The signing ceremony took place at the Philippine military headquarters in Manila, where the US and Philippine defense ministers also broke ground on a project to build a center to promote coordination between the two countries' armed forces.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (left) and his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro at the signing ceremony.

PHOTO: PHILIPPINES DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE

The United States and the Philippines signed a military intelligence sharing agreement on November 18, aiming to further strengthen defense ties between the two countries facing common security challenges in the region.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin signed the agreement with his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro at the start of a visit to Manila. The signing ceremony took place at the Philippine military headquarters in Manila, where the two ministers also broke ground on a joint coordination center that will promote coordination between the two countries' armed forces.

Called the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), the agreement allows the two countries to securely share classified military information.

"This not only allows the Philippines to access greater capabilities and valuable information from the United States, but also opens up opportunities to pursue similar agreements with like-minded countries," Reuters quoted Philippine Defense Department spokesman Arsenio Andolong as saying.

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The US and the Philippines have a mutual defense treaty since 1951, which can be applied if either side is attacked, including in the South China Sea.

“I want to begin by emphasizing our ironclad commitment to the Philippines,” Secretary Austin said during the groundbreaking ceremony for the coordination center.

He said the coordination center would allow real-time information sharing between the two defense treaty allies and enhance interoperability. “This will be a place where our forces can work together to respond to regional challenges,” he said.

"The presence of the United States in the Indo-Pacific region is essential to maintain peace and stability in this region," Secretary Teodoro said during the groundbreaking ceremony, echoing previous remarks by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The Philippines expressed confidence that the alliance will remain strong under US President-elect Donald Trump.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/my-va-philippines-ky-thoa-thuan-chia-se-thong-tin-tinh-bao-quan-su-185241118144601504.htm