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Germany, PH bat for intel sharing arrangement

Philippine News Agency

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
May 20, 2025, 4:53 pm

MANILA -- Germany and the Philippines on Tuesday highlighted the need for a mechanism that would facilitate exchange of classified information between their two militaries.

In a Stratbase ADRI Forum in Taguig City, German Ambassador to the Philippines Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke said the deal is vital if the two governments intend to fully utilize the new German-Philippine defense cooperation agreement.

"Discussing an agreement on sharing classified information is obviously needed because if you talk more about defense cooperation and you want to share information about military equipment, this is the basis for that. Otherwise, you cannot share this," he said.

In the same forum, Armed Forces of the Philippines Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans Maj. Gen. Rommel Cordova said a "clearer arrangement" on intelligence sharing would also help Manila deal with foreign malign influence and information warfare.

He said the Philippines is interested to learn how the German military is responding to threats to its cyber and information space with the creation of its newest branch, the Cyber and Information Domain Service.

"This is an area for further collaboration with Germany and other countries to include Canada because of that very reason -- the way our adversary is using disinformation, misinformation and malign influence, we have a lot to learn," he said.

"When we talk about cyber, you're talking about classified matters already. Yes, we have this defense arrangement, but we need to have a clearer arrangement on how to share classified information," he added.

Resilient partners

Berlin and Manila recently sealed the new arrangement concerning defense cooperation that covers possible collaboration on cybersecurity, defense armament, logistics and United Nations peacekeeping.

As it bolsters defense ties with Manila, Pfaffernoschke clarified that Berlin does not aim to project power unilaterally in the region.

"We neither have the capacity nor will that be in line with our political philosophy, but we are looking to build resilient sovereign partners. The Philippines aligns very well with this philosophy," he said.

He noted that Manila has "consistently shown" strong commitment to international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

"The Philippines is at the heart of the Indo-Pacific, one of the most dynamic yet contested regions of the world. It's geographical location along critical sea lanes, especially in the South China Sea makes it a key player in ensuring freedom of navigation, maritime security and thereby the rules-based international order," he said.

"For Germany, whose economy depends heavily on global trade and open sea lanes, contributing to ensuring maritime stability in the region is not a pure matter of principles and even less of charity -- it's a matter of national interest," he added.

Stratbase ADRI Dindo Manhit said this growing partnership is a testament to the strength of Philippine-German relations and sends a signal that responsible members of the international community "will continue to work together to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific." (PNA)