PH, US sign military info sharing agreement

The governments of the Philippines and the United States on Monday signed an agreement which will serve as a framework to facilitate the exchange of classified military information between the two countries.

The agreement was signed by the Philippines’ Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and his United States counterpart Lloyd Austin III on Monday morning at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

According to the Department of National Defense (DND), the signing of the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) is a “critical step to enhance information sharing and deepen interoperability” between the Philippines and the US.

“Not only will this allow the Philippines access to higher capabilities and big-ticket items from the United States, it will also open opportunities to pursue similar agreements with like-minded nations,” the DND added.

During Austin’s visit at Camp Aguinaldo, Teodoro also presented him with the Outstanding Achievement Medal.

This was in recognition of the US Defense chief’s “substantial contributions to strengthening the Philippines-U.S. bilateral defense ties and promoting regional security in the Indo-Pacific.”

The two Defense officials also led the groundbreaking ceremony of the Combined Coordination Center, which will serve as a gateway for information sharing and strategic coordination between the US and the Philippines.

“This groundbreaking represents not only the construction of a facility, but the solidification of our commitment to one another, ensuring that our forces stand united in the face of challenges,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said.

“It will enhance our ability to collaborate during crisis, fostering an environment where our strengths combine to safeguard peace and security in our region. This center embodies our aspirations, a hub where innovation meets partnership, where we will train as one, we will plan as one, and we will respond as one,” he added.

The AFP chief also said that the facility shall be used for humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and maritime security.

“May this center serve as a symbol of our commitment to peace, security, and the enduring friendship between our nations,” Brawner said.

US’ ‘ironclad’ commitment

In his speech, Austin emphasized the US’ “ironclad commitment” to help the Philippines in times of need, especially following the six consecutive storms that hit the country in the past few weeks.

“I've 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,” the US Defense chief said.

Austin said that the Combined Coordination Center at Camp Aguinaldo will enable real-time information sharing “for a common operating picture” and will help boost interoperability for the coming years.

He said it will also be a place where both the US and Philippine forces can work together to respond to regional challenges.

“You've heard me say so many times, Mr. Secretary, we are more than allies. We are family, and it is indeed great to be here with you today and congratulations on this very promising facility,” he added.

Teodoro, in response, thanked Austin for the support to strengthen the PH-US alliance.

He said that the groundbreaking of the new facility is part of the strategic approach to facing shared threats that both the US and the Philippines have invested a lot of resources, manpower, and brainpower in.

“And I'm sure it will benefit future generations of both our peoples to come because although we may change people, the values don't change. Freedom, truth, the freedom to do what one wants without being a stooge of what party have you, and freedom to stake a livelihood in what is rightfully an area where one can build a livelihood on,” Teodoro said.

“And the freedom to marshal whatever our future generations' posterity has for them that we need to protect. So in this spirit, this groundbreaking ceremony will truly break ground, not merely in the center itself, but in our shared journey towards regional peace and stability,” he added.

Last Friday, Teodoro said that the bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and the US will be reviewed during the visit of Austin in Manila.

The Pentagon earlier said that Austin’s visit to the Philippines aims to advance security objectives with local officials. —KG, GMA Integrated News