Philippines, US sign intelligence-sharing pact

ISTANBUL

The Philippines and the US on Monday signed an intelligence-sharing pact, triggering a cautious response from China.

The Philippines-US General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) was signed at Camp Aguinaldo in the capital Manila.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Filipino counterpart Gilberto Teodoro Jr. signed the pact in a ceremony streamed live.

Manila is Washington’s oldest ally in the Asia-Pacific region and over the years, the Philippines has given the US expanded access to its military bases in the archipelago nation.

The GSOMIA has no expiry date but it may be amended or suspended and neither of the parties could be forced to share information.

Beijing was quick to react to the new collaboration in Manila.

"No matter what kind of military agreement is signed or what type of defense and security cooperation is conducted, it must not target third parties, harm their interests, undermine regional peace, or escalate tensions," China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing.

"The only correct choice for safeguarding national security and maintaining regional peace and stability is to adhere to good-neighborly relations and uphold strategic independence," said Lin.

Austin and Teodoro also attended a groundbreaking event of the Combined Coordination Center in Manila.

“This center will enhance interoperability for years to come and reflects the unprecedented level of operational cooperation between the US and the Philippines,” Austin said on X.

Last week, Teodoro said the Philippines, Australia, the US, and Japan will inaugurate a “coordinating center” in Manila.

Teodoro said the four nations agreed to hold “a lot of minilateral activities together.”

“The easiest to pull together is the maritime cooperative activities in the West Philippine Sea. However, there will be more coordination and cooperation on that basis,” he said at a forum in Australia.

Manila calls parts of the disputed South China Sea the West Philippine Sea.

Typhoons batter Philippines

Referring to the severe typhoons that have hit the Philippines, Austin said the US will provide $1 million in additional funding to Manila.

Six major storms have hit the Philippines in the last two months.

“Our military is ready to provide lifesaving assistance to help surge aid to the Philippine people,” said the US defense chief.

The US Aid has already announced assistance of $5.5 million to the Philippines since September.

“We also previously helped deliver almost 100,000 pounds in assistance to impacted areas. We’ll continue to stand with the Philippines during this time,” he added.

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Monday said there was at least one person dead due to the latest Typhoon Pepito, internationally known as Man-Yi.

At least 163 people have been killed over the past two months in the archipelago nation where hundreds of thousands of people have been affected.