US-Philippines agreement on military information exchange

INN/Philippine, @Infodeaofficial

As long-time treaty allies strengthen their collaboration in an effort to offset Chinese influence in the area, US and Philippine defence chiefs inked an agreement Monday on exchanging classified military technology and information.

The agreement was signed by US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro at the beginning of a trip to Manila that also included a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos behind closed doors.

According to sources, the General Security of Military Information Agreement facilitates the sale of some classified technologies and permits the exchange of classified information that might help a US ally’s national defence.

According to Philippine Assistant Defence Secretary Arsenio Andolong, it will allow the country to obtain “higher capabilities and big-ticket items” from the United States and “open opportunities to pursue similar agreements with like-minded nations.”