US, Philippines sign military intel-sharing pact

Agreement potentially ensures ties remain strong under second Trump presidency

- Mara Cepeda

The United States and the Philippines have inked a military intelligence-sharing deal that analysts say could help counter a more assertive Beijing in the South China Sea, while also potentially ensuring ties will remain strong under a second Donald Trump presidency.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro on Nov 18 signed the agreement in a ceremony at the Philippine military's headquarters, where the two leaders also broke ground for a centre meant for coordination meetings between US and Filipino troops.

Called the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), the latest US-Philippines defence deal will allow the nations to securely share classified military information.

Security officials also told the Associated Press that the US could provide the Philippines with sophisticated weapons and military equipment like missile systems, as well as satellite and drone systems, under the GSOMIA.

The deal was the highlight of Mr Austin's latest visit to the Philippines and is part of the outgoing Biden administration's last-ditch effort to strengthen US military alliances amid the intensifying rivalry against China in the Indo-Pacific region.

At the same meeting, both Mr Austin and Mr Teodoro also expressed concerns over China's conduct in the South China Sea, with the Pentagon chief reiterating Washington's defence commitments to Manila under a 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty.