Australia, Japan mull intel-sharing pact with PH

To establish a common operating picture in the South China Sea and Indo-Pacific region, Australia and Japan are considering to develop a military intelligence-sharing agreement with the Philippines.

- By MARTIN SADONGDONG

This came as Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. met with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, Japanese Minister of Defense Nakatani Gen, and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Singapore on Saturday, May 31, on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue.

The defense chiefs recognized the importance of information-sharing among their countries, noting that Manila has a similar pact with the United States called the bilateral General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA).

"Australia and Japan intend to undertake bilateral discussions for similar agreements with the Philippines. They affirmed that these efforts will facilitate greater information-sharing and analysis, including at a combined hub for such purpose," a joint statement from the three leaders read.

In November 2024, Teodoro and then US defense secretary Lloyd Austin III signed the GSOMIA, which concerns security measures for the protection of classified military information.

The accord enables the real-time exchange of classified intelligence and information amid mounting security concerns shared by the two countries over China's growing presence in the South China Sea, including claims to areas within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Serious concerns on China