PH, US sign military intel-sharing pact
Philippine News Agency
By Priam Nepomuceno
November 18, 2024, 4:24 pm
MANILA -- Ranking defense officials from the Philippines and the United States on Monday signed a military intelligence sharing deal in a further deepening of interoperability between the two nations.
The General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) was signed by Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and visiting Department of Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Commissioned Officers' Club.
GSOMIA is the security measure for the protection of classified military information.
It will serve as framework to facilitate the exchange of classified military information between the Philippines and the United States.
The pact also allows the Philippines to access higher capabilities and big-ticket items from the United States and pursue similar agreements with other like-minded nations.
Shortly after the signing, Teodoro presented Austin with the Outstanding Achievement Medal (OAM) for his leadership and commitment to strengthening the Philippine and United States defense alliance and advancing the shared values of the two nations.
"He (Austin) has been instrumental in reinforcing the enduring partnership between our two nations, ensuring that our shared values of democracy, freedom, and peace continue to guide our cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Region," Austin's OAM citation read.
"Under his stewardship, the Philippine-US defense alliance has been significantly bolstered. Secretary Austin's remarkable contributions have not only strengthened the Philippine-US defense relationship but have also played a central role in advancing regional stability and security," it further said.
Teodoro and Austin also broke ground for a combined coordination center between the two armed forces.
AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., who was present in the ceremony, said the groundbreaking is "the dawn of a new era in collaboration and partnership between the Philippines and the United States, particularly its Armed Forces."
"The combined coordination center will be a vital nexus for our joint operations, a gateway for information sharing and strategic coordination," he added.
He said the facility would further enhance the collaboration of the two nations during crises.
"It will elevate our capabilities in humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and maritime security, ensuring that we can act swiftly and effectively when the need arises," the AFP chief added.
Ironclad commitment, aid for typhoon victims
Austin stressed the US' ironclad commitment to the Philippines even as they offer their thoughts, prayers, and condolences to the Filipinos battered by Super Typhoon Pepito and the five other cyclones for the past few weeks.
Austin said that he authorized US forces to provide direct support to respond to the super typhoon.
"We've also secured another million dollars in urgent humanitarian aid, and that will help surge aid to the Philippine people. It's yet another reminder of the strength of our alliance, and so is this important new facility," he added.
Meanwhile, Teodoro hailed Austin not only for the "genuine affection that he has displayed, not merely in words, but more importantly in concrete actions, for the people of the Republic of the Philippines and for the values that we stand for."
"His wholehearted support, in conjunction with our efforts to strengthen an already enduring alliance, has not gone unnoticed, most especially in the halls of Malacañang Palace by our President himself, and in the home of the DND and the AFP," he said.
Teodoro said the combined coordination center is part of the "strategic approach" to facing shared threats of both countries. (PNA)
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