The United States and the Philippines have signed a military intelligence sharing deal on Monday. This pact seems to deepen the military ties between the two countries facing similar regional security challenges.
The agreement was signed between U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the Philippines counterpart Gilberto Teodoro at Manila’s military headquarters. The two countries also spoke and shared views on the broken ground for a coordination center, facilitating collaboration between the armed forces.
The two countries would also be securely sharing military information after signing the pact. For the same, the Philippines defense minister spokesperson Arsenio Andolong stated “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.”
Such security engagements between the Philippines and the United States have evolved under the governance of Ferdinand Marcos Jr and President Joe Biden. Both the country leaders showed keen interest in countering China’s aggressive policies in the South China Sea and near Taiwan.
However, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, stated “The only correct choice for safeguarding one’s own national security and maintaining peace and stability in the region is to adhere to good neighbourly relations and to strategic autonomy.”
The United States and the Philippines have had each other’s backs since 1951 through a mutual defense treaty. Basically, if one of them is attacked – even in the South China Sea – the other is ready to help.
