Security tightened in camps as PH, US finalize intel pact

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez. —Gabriel P. Lalu/ INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Security has been tightened across military camps nationwide as part of requirements for the completion of a long-delayed intelligence-sharing pact between the Philippines and the United States, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Wednesday.

Manila and Washington are working to finalize a General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) that has been under negotiation since late 2021.

READ: PH, US ‘working overtime’ to seal intel-sharing pact

“The heightened security protocols are designed to safeguard classified information and critical infrastructure, ensuring that all military assets are well-protected against potential threats,” the AFP said in a statement.

Some of the measures include the acquisition of advanced surveillance systems, increased personnel training and stricter access controls to sensitive areas.

The Philippines and United States agreed during the Bilateral Strategic Dialogue in Washington in April to conclude the GSOMIA by the end of 2024.

READ: ‘We’re family’: PH, US boost intel sharing

Real-time sharing

“They’re hoping to be able to finish that before the end of the year … I think they’re working overtime because it’s very important to our defense strategy,” Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said at the time.

Officials consider the agreement to be crucial in addressing shared concerns over an increasingly assertive China in the West Philippine Sea.

The GSOMIA will formalize real-time intelligence-sharing activities and form protocols for safeguarding top-secret information or technology transfer between the treaty allies.

The AFP vowed to continue to invest in cutting-edge security technologies and training programs. Fostering partnerships and advancing capabilities are being pursued to address conventional and unconventional security threats, it said.

“Collaborative efforts with US military counterparts will also be strengthened through joint exercises and knowledge-sharing initiatives, ensuring that both nations remain vigilant and prepared to face emerging security challenges,” it said.

The US Embassy in Manila earlier said the GSOMIA “will streamline technology transfer for required capabilities, and ultimately improve interoperability.”

Classified docs

In May last year, a defense official said the pact would be “more deliberate” and “more wide-ranging,” allowing the two parties to focus on pressing issues.

The agreement could also cover certain limitations of intelligence sharing with other countries and entities, he added.

A Filipino diplomat described the GSOMIA as a “legal framework/agreement for the proper handling and safeguarding of classified documents or information.”

“Its conclusion allows stable and protected intel and info sharing,” the diplomat added.