PH, US working to conclude military intel pact by end of 2024

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 31, 2024): PH, US working to conclude military intel pact by end of 2024 (By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)

2+2 MEET. A joint press conference was held attended by (from left) US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III (from left), Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. after the 2+2 Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Tuesday (July 30, 2024). The Philippines and the United States are working to conclude and sign a key military intelligence sharing deal by the end of the year, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III said. (PNA photo by Robert Alfiler)

MANILA – The Philippines and the United States are working to conclude and sign a key military intelligence sharing deal by the end of the year, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III said Tuesday.

Speaking after the 2+2 Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Austin said both nations are committed to making the defense alliance “even more secure through technology and security and cyber cooperation”.

“We reiterated our shared intent to conclude a general security of military information agreement (GSOMIA) by the end of the year. Now, that’s crucial to our shared cybersecurity goals,” he said.

According to a US-Philippine joint statement following the 2+2, this GSOMIA would lay the foundation for “enhanced, expanded, and timely sharing of information and defense technology”.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., meanwhile, said the deal would serve as a tool to help the Philippines develop its operational security.

“It is an attempt and a continuing exercise to develop our operational security, which is a required stepping stone for our development of an armed force and a defense establishment with increasing sophistication to deal with vulnerabilities and with unpredictabilities in the future defense situation and picture,” he said.

At the dialogue, Austin, Teodoro, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and State Secretary Antony Blinken also agreed to advance cybersecurity cooperation by investing in the capabilities of the Philippines.

These include the US providing an integrated cyber range and training platform and on-demand training to develop and sustain a capable and skilled cyber workforce.

Enhancing economic ties

On top of fortifying what the four ministers called a “maturing and modern” defense alliance, the two states are also finding ways to foster economic resilience.

“Both sides reiterated the importance of ensuring that the alliance promotes security in its broadest sense — building more resilient and sustainable communities and economies, increasing trade with more diverse and reliable partners, and deterring, countering, and mitigating harm from potential economic coercion,” the joint statement read.

In the past year, the US deployed its first-ever Presidential Trade and Investment Mission to the country and launched the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) during a historic trilateral leaders’ summit with Japan and the Philippines in April, among others.

At the 2+2, the officials said they would help “drive progress” on the LEC, including identifying initial priority projects later this year for investment.

They also agreed to further cooperate on critical minerals processing and strengthen private sector partnerships, particularly shipbuilding and ship repair.

They also emphasized the need to “operationalize opportunities” under the bilateral 123 Agreement for civil nuclear energy by helping Manila "develop the workforce, regulatory environment, and strong commercial partnerships that will enable (the) development of a robust, safe civil nuclear sector”.

Within the year alone, the two states would convene various high-level meetings, including the 2nd Energy Policy Dialogue in Manila to diversify critical minerals supply chains, promote renewable energy deployment, and foster reliable and resilient power grids in the country, among others.

Both governments are also scheduled to hold a Nuclear Supply Chain Forum in Manila this November, which will bring together leading US companies with government and private sector stakeholders to discuss partnership opportunities.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1230133