US, Philippines Pact Secures Military Intelligence
On November 18, the US and the Philippines have signed a defense pact in Manilla to reinforce intelligence sharing and advanced military cooperation in response to rising Indo-Pacific tensions due to China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea and Taiwan, according to The Associated Press (AP).
The legally binding agreement deal, inked by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin from the Biden Administration and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, would enable secure communication of classified information between the two countries.
Strengthening Military Ties Over Regional Instability
This agreement will allow the Philippines access to higher capabilities and big-ticket items from the United States,” the Philippine’s Department of National Defense said in a statement, a precursor to access to more sophisticated weaponry, including missile systems, satellite surveillance, and drone technology.
The US has been actively seeking to strengthen military alliances across the Indo-Pacific as a hedge against China’s influence in a strategy that aligns with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s drive to harden his country’s territorial defenses.
A Coordinated Effort for Regional Stability
The deal highlights the shared commitment of the US and the Philippines to regional peace and stability. At the signing ceremony, Secretary Austin reaffirmed the alliance between the US and the Philippines, emphasizing that “we are more than allies; we are family.”
The deal will also open the way to deeper intelligence sharing and more sophisticated joint military operations. At a groundbreaking event for a new coordination center, both leaders highlighted its importance: Austin described it as a “hub for tackling regional challenges” while Teodoro noted it would offer “a unified picture of shared areas of responsibility.”
With this agreement, both countries, US and the Philippines seek to deter threats and further their strategic partnership, reinforcing a united front in the Indo-Pacific. Teodoro said, “Though people may change, the values don’t change.
Past efforts by the Philippines to obtain high-end US military equipment have been frustrated because it lacked such agreements. The new accord wants to avoid operational headaches like what happened during the 2017 Marawi siege, where the Philippines depended on US and Australian intelligence to defeat Islamic State-aligned militants.
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