U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. sign a military intelligence sharing agreement on November 18, 2024. Screenshot from Department of National Defense livestream video.
ALJAZEERA | Published November 18, 2024
The deal allows for classified information sharing that could benefit a US ally’s defence and streamlines the sale of certain classified technologies.
The Philippines and the United States have signed a military intelligence-sharing deal, in a further deepening of security ties between the two defence treaty allies as they seek to counter a resurgent China.
Secretary of Defense Gilberto Teodoro and his visiting US counterpart Lloyd Austin signed the agreement on Monday during a ceremony at the Department of National Defense (DND) in the Philippine capital, Manila.
The deal, called the General Security of Military Information Agreement, allows for the sharing of classified information that could benefit a US ally’s national defence, and streamlines the sale of certain classified technologies, officials said.
Austin’s visit is his fourth to the Southeast Asian country and likely his last before he relinquishes his post in January when former President Donald Trump returns to the White House.
In a brief statement posted on X, Austin said the US and the Philippines are “committed to deepening our alliance, strengthening regional security, and upholding our shared values in the Indo-Pacific”.
Teodoro did not make any remarks at the signing ceremony, but the DND said the deal was “a critical step to enhance information sharing and deepen interoperability between the Philippines and the US”.
READ FULL ARTICLE
SOURCE: www.aljazeera.com
RELATED: Austin’s visit seen as last-ditch effort to reaffirm Philippine-US defense ties
US DEFENSE SECRETARY Lloyd Austin III — PCO.GOV.PH
BWORLD ONLINE | Published November 17, 2024
US DEFENSE chief Lloyd Austin III visit to Manila this week is the outgoing Biden administration’s last-ditch effort to reinforce their security commitments to the Philippines as Washington is headed into another Trump presidency, security analysts said at the weekend.
“I think he will reassure his hosts that the US commitment to the Philippines remained strong throughout the first Trump administration, and he has no reason to think it will change in a Trump 2.0,” Raymond M. Powell, a fellow at the Stanford University’s Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, said in an X message.
He described the outgoing Defense secretary a “lame duck” as he only has two months left before President-elect Donald J. Trump takes office.
“That does not make him powerless, but it does limit what he can accomplish with two months left on the job,” Mr. Powell said.
The US Defense Department said last week that Mr. Austin’s visit to Manila aims to explore deeper security ties and ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
He will meet with his Philippine counterparts to “advance security objectives with Philippine leaders,” the agency said in a statement.
Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. told reporters last week that ties between both countries would not change under a Trump presidency
The US is the Philippines’ major security partner, with a 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty compelling both nations to defend each other in case of an armed attack.
Be the first to comment