MANILA, Philippines — On Monday, an agreement was finalized between the United States and the Philippines to facilitate the secure exchange of sensitive military intelligence and advanced technology related to key armaments provided by the U.S. This initiative took shape during a signing ceremony in Manila, which was led by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Philippine counterpart, Gilberto Teodoro. This development comes as the long-term allies have expanded their defense coordination and military exercises, particularly in response to China’s assertive actions within Asia.

The Biden administration has actively sought to bolster a network of military partnerships throughout the Indo-Pacific region, aiming to counter China’s influence amid concerns over potential conflicts concerning Taiwan or disputed territories in the South China Sea, which is largely claimed by Beijing. This strategy aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s focus on reinforcing the Philippines’ defensive capabilities, particularly in light of escalating territorial skirmishes with Chinese forces in the South China Sea.

The Philippine Department of National Defense highlighted that the newly signed agreement is intended to safeguard the classified military information exchanged between the two nations, thereby granting the Philippines greater access to advanced military capabilities and critical military hardware from the U.S.

While no additional specifics about the agreement were disclosed, two officials within the Philippine security sector revealed that it mirrors past agreements between the U.S. and its other allies. This would potentially enable the U.S. to furnish the Philippines with more advanced intelligence and sophisticated weaponry, including missile systems. Additionally, the Philippine armed forces could gain access to U.S. satellite and drone reconnaissance capabilities, ensuring that sensitive intelligence and sensitive weapon details remain secure from leaks, as per the officials who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the matter.

In the past, the Philippines has faced impediments in acquiring advanced weaponry from the U.S. military due to the absence of intelligence-sharing agreements. A notable instance was during a 2017 siege in Marawi City, where Filipino troops battled militants linked to the Islamic State group; U.S. and Australian surveillance aircraft assisted the Filipino forces in overcoming the uprising after a protracted five-month conflict.

In addition to the agreement signing, Austin and Teodoro participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for a new center aimed at coordinating future joint military operations and facilitating information exchanges. Austin emphasized the center as a collaborative hub for U.S. and Philippine forces to address regional challenges. He reiterated the U.S. commitment to its relationship with the Philippines, remarking, “We are more than allies. We are family.”

Teodoro noted that the coordinating center would offer a comprehensive framework for shared responsibilities and approaches toward mutual threats. He expressed confidence that it would positively impact future generations of both nations, emphasizing that while personnel may change, enduring values remain constant. The Philippine defense chief reiterated the importance of maintaining a U.S. security presence in the area, echoing Marcos’s assertions that such a presence is vital for peace and stability in the region.