Philippines, US sign military intel-sharing agreement

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and the United States yesterday signed an agreement on sharing classified military information and technology, further deepening cooperation between the treaty allies.

Visiting US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III signed the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) that will enable real-time exchange of classified intelligence and information with his Philippine counterpart, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., during a ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo.

The Department of National Defense (DND) said the military intelligence-sharing deal is “a critical step to enhance information sharing and deepen interoperability between the Philippines and the US.”

The GSOMIA will serve as a framework to facilitate the exchange of classified military information between the Philippines and the US, according to the DND.

“Not only will this allow the Philippines access to higher capabilities and big-ticket items from the United States, but it will also open opportunities to pursue similar agreements with like-minded nations,” DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong said.

During the US-Philippines 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Washington in April last year, top diplomatic and defense officials of the two nations agreed to new steps to bolster mutual defense, expand intelligence-sharing on key challenges confronting the US-Philippine alliance, including through the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness initiative, and the conclusion of a bilateral GSOMIA with the goal of enabling real-time information-sharing and technology cooperation across domains.

The Philippines recently ramped up its military ties with the US and allowed greater US access to local military bases that angered China.

After the GSOMIA signing, Teodoro and Austin led the groundbreaking ceremony of the Combined Coordination Center (CCC) at Camp Aguinaldo, which the US defense chief said “will enable real-time information-sharing for a common operating picture, and it will help boost interoperability for many, many years to come.”

“And it will be a place where our forces can work side by side to respond to regional challenges,” Austin added, underscoring the US’s “ironclad commitment” to the Philippines.

For his part, Teodoro said the CCC is a unified picture of the shared areas of responsibility and common approaches to threats against the two nations’ securities.

The US embassy in Manila said the groundbreaking of the new CCC between the US Department of Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) represents a significant milestone in the enduring US-Philippines alliance.

The new facility is a modern capability designed to enhance interoperability between the two forces through the Pacific Multidomain Training and Experimentation Capability, allowing the AFP and US forces to operate as a combined command center for strategic planning, joint operations, intelligence-sharing and rapid response coordination, ensuring that both nations are ready to respond to regional challenges.

“The CCC symbolizes the deepening of ties, reflecting on the ironclad partnership that has evolved through consistent training like the Balikatan Exercise and the Multilateral Maritime Combined Activities, which emphasize cooperation and defense modernization,” the embassy said.

The CCC will integrate new defense technologies and joint training, reinforcing the alliance’s readiness to meet both conventional and unconventional challenges.

“This building demonstrates the US commitment to standing with the Philippines on our combined defense capabilities while promoting a collaborative, multilateral approach to regional security,” the embassy said.

AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the CCC would be a vital nexus for the US and Philippines armed forces, as well as a gateway for information-sharing and strategic coordination.

Brawner added that it would enhance the capabilities of the AFP and the US in humanitarian assistance and disaster response and maritime security, ensuring that both forces “can act swiftly and effectively when the need arises.”

“Today isn’t just a ceremony; it is the dawn of a new era in collaboration and partnership between the Philippines and United States, particularly its armed forces,” he said.

“It will enhance our ability to collaborate during crisis, fostering an environment where our strengths combine to safeguard peace and security in our region,” he added.

The AFP chief noted that the facility would allow Filipino and US troops to “train as one, plan as one and respond as one.”

Philippines medal for Austin

Teodoro yesterday conferred the Outstanding Achievement Medal (OAM) on Austin in recognition of his substantial contributions to strengthening the bilateral defense ties between the two nations and promoting regional security in the Indo-Pacific since he assumed his post in 2021.

In the award citation, Teodoro acknowledged the visiting defense chief’s leadership and his impact on the DND and the Filipino nation.

The DND said Austin is recognized for his leadership and his commitment that have made a profound impact on strengthening the Philippines-US alliance and advancing the shared values of the two nations.

“He has been instrumental in reinforcing the enduring partnership between our two nations and sharing our shared values of democracy, freedom and peace continue to guide our cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region,” the DND said.

“Secretary Austin’s remarkable contributions have not only strengthened the Philippines-US defense relationship, but have also played a central role in advancing regional stability and security. His dedication in fostering an enduring alliance, promoting peace and safeguarding our value of both countries is a testament to his exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to the shared interests of our nations,” the agency added.

Austin is visiting the Philippines – his fourth to the country, the most visits ever by a US secretary of defense – as part of his trip to the Indo-Pacific region, his 12th since taking office, as he continues to build upon strong partnerships forged under his tenure throughout the US priority theater of operations.

The scheduled bilateral engagements between the two defense leaders in Manila and Palawan, where they will visit the headquarters of the AFP’s Western Command today, highlight the robust partnership and commitment of the two countries to advance the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Austin will observe a Philippine Navy tech demonstration that will showcase T-12 unmanned surface vessels, a key capability used to protect sovereignty and operate throughout the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.