President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. welcomes then-United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III during a courtesy call at the President’s Hall in Malacanang Palace on Feb. 2, 2023.(PNA Photo)
MANILA – The Philippines and the United States (US) have further strengthened their long-standing alliance by signing the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), a legally binding accord that will facilitate the secure exchange of classified military information and technology between the two militaries and nations.
Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. and the then-US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III formally signed the GSOMIA on Nov. 18, 2024, at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Commissioned Officers’ Club in Manila. The asset-sharing agreement, finally cemented after years of arduous negotiations, is aimed at enhancing both nations’ military interoperability and paving the way for the availability and capacity to utilize more sophisticated defense capabilities, including access to higher-level intelligence and advanced weapons systems.
“This agreement marks a huge breakthrough in our ability to cooperate more closely,” a US defense official said, noting that the GSOMIA would allow both sides to exchange sensitive information securely and expeditiously, strengthening the parties’ mutual defense planning and operations.
Secretary Teodoro described GSOMIA as a historic agreement and a seal of good housekeeping insofar as the Philippine Armed Forces is concerned. “It states as a premise, that we are operationally secure, our processes are safe and secure, and because of this, we will be able to cooperate with each other on a different level,” the defense chief expounded.
A deepened commitment between allies
The Department of National Defense (DND) emphasized the enduring partnership between the two countries, highlighting that the GSOMIA is in line with the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and complementary to other defense frameworks, including the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). According to the DND, it will enable the Philippines to access higher capabilities and big-ticket items from the US, while also opening opportunities to pursue similar arrangements with like-minded nations. Japan and the Republic of Korea, both American allies maintaining close cooperation with the Philippines in many sectors, have their own GSOMIA in force. Between the governments of Tokyo and Manila, a new defense pact called the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement was signed in July last year. The GSOMIA and more complex and close-knit cooperative agreements of the exact nature may lead to the exploration of more of the same between the Philippines and its allies.
The agreement’s signing coincided with the groundbreaking of a combined coordination center meant to enhance AFP-US military cooperation. The new facility at Camp Aguinaldo is intended to improve joint planning, rapid information sharing, and crisis response. “This center will be a place where our forces can work side-by-side to respond to regional challenges,” Austin said, adding, “It will boost interoperability for many years to come.”
This further deepening of the US-Philippine alliance has arrived amid constantly evolving and fluctuating regional dynamics and shared concerns over maritime security and territorial integrity, especially in the Indo-Pacific. The Philippines, facing constant challenges and formidable worries in the West Philippine Sea, views the GSOMIA as another essential step toward bolstering its external defense posture and policy and ensuring that the AFP is even better equipped to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty and interests. With the GSOMIA’s completed actualization and ongoing implementation, Philippine security stands to gain significant advantages that will continue to benefit the country.
Austin reaffirmed the US “ironclad commitment” to the Philippines, citing the alliance’s importance to regional stability and peace. “We are more than allies. We are family,” Austin said, highlighting that the agreement and the combined coordination center reflect the US resolve to support the Philippines and its needs, including humanitarian and disaster response operations.
From rescues to defensive readiness
In an interview with DND Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Arsenio Andolong, the benefits of the GSOMIA were once again highlighted. “Puwede na tayong humingi ng information na maaaring magpalakas ng ating seguridad… lalo na ‘yung information is really important nowadays sa operating environment natin,” (“We can now request information that may potentially enhance our security… especially since information is really important nowadays in our operating environment,”) Andolong stated.
Andolong also reiterated the usefulness of utilizing the US military’s advanced resources and technologies. “‘Yung ating ally, may mga capability sila na wala sa atin, katulad nung mga assets na ginagamit nila for surveillance and awareness,” (“Our ally has capabilities that we don’t have, like the assets they use for surveillance and awareness,”) the spokesperson said.
A tool for peace crafted for security, proper processes
At the same time, he stressed that the GSOMIA is a framework crafted with the proper processes and consent, as well as the retention of the parties’ internal security in mind. “This is all done under strict security protocols… hindi naman ito obligasyon ng bawa’tparty; kung ano lang ang puwedeng i-share ng party, ‘yun lang ang masusunod,” (“This is all done under strict security protocols… this is not the obligation of each party; whatever is approved for sharing by the parties, that’s what we’re able to work with,”) the official said.
In recent months, the US has provided urgent humanitarian aid and military assistance to the Philippines, most significantly following the impact of several natural calamities affecting the country. The GSOMIA, combined with EDCA and other joint defense activities, is expected to streamline coordinated efforts such as these, and further strengthen the bond between the two countries as a continuing evolution and addition of their steadfast partnership.
While the agreement has drawn attention in the region, both parties stressed that their efforts are not directed at any nation in particular, and are instead proactive measures meant for peace and protection.
Philippine defense officials reiterated that these initiatives aim to improve the country’s defensive capabilities, ensure regional stability, and support the rules-based international order. Both the Philippines and the US emphasized strict adherence to international law and the mutual desire for peaceful cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
The GSOMIA is just one of many recent significant developments for the Armed Forces and the nation that the DND has spearheaded, in line with a greater push for improvements in and for our military forces and capabilities across the board. The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. continues to reach remarkable milestones in its broad and sweeping “Bagong Pilipinas” directive for better service and transformative governance.
With the GSOMIA now in place, the Philippines stands to benefit from broader security cooperation, advanced defense technologies, and an enhanced capacity to respond to a range of threats and challenges. As Austin noted, “This agreement and the steps we are taking together show our shared vision of a free, open, and prosperous region.”
