The United States (U.S.) and the Philippines signed an agreement on Monday to share classified military information and technology, strengthening their longstanding cooperation to counter China’s influence in the region.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin signed the agreement with the Secretary of National Defense of the Philippines, Gilberto Teodoro, at the start of his visit to Manila, which also included a closed-door meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos.
The General Security of Military Information Agreement allows the exchange of classified information that can benefit the national defense of U.S. allies and facilitates the sale of certain classified technologies, officials said.
This agreement will grant the Philippines access to “higher capabilities and advanced technologies” from the U.S. and “open opportunities for similar agreements with countries that share common interests,” stated Arsenio Andolong, the Philippines’ Assistant Secretary of Defense.
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