U.S. and Philippines sign military intelligence-sharing deal

The Philippines and the United States signed a military intelligence-sharing deal on Monday (November 18), deepening defense ties between the two nations facing common security challenges in the region. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin signed the agreement with his Philippine counterpart, Gilberto Teodoro, at Manila's military headquarters where they also broke ground for a coordination center that will facilitate collaboration between their armed forces. Called the General Security of Military Information Agreement or GSOMIA, the pact allows both countries to share classified military information securely. Security engagements between the United States and the Philippines have deepened under President Joe Biden and his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jr, with both leaders keen to counter what they see as China's aggressive policies in the South China Sea and near Taiwan. (Production: Jay Ereno, Peter Blaza)