American and Filipino marines hold a helocast and maritime patrol exercise as part of the semi-annual Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) in Ternate, Cavite, on July 14, 2023. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA (UPDATED) -- US and Philippine defense chiefs signed an agreement Monday on sharing classified military information and technology, as the long-time treaty allies deepen cooperation in a bid to counter Chinese influence in the region.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin signed the deal with his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro at the start of a visit to Manila that will also include a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos.

The General Security of Military Information Agreement allows for the sharing of classified information that could benefit a US ally's national defense, and streamlines the sale of certain classified technologies, officials said.

Austin and Teodoro did not make any remarks at the signing ceremony, but the Philippine defense department said the document was "a critical step to enhance information sharing and deepen interoperability between the Philippines and the US".

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It comes as the Marcos government pushes back against Beijing's territorial claims over most of the South China Sea and as president-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to office.

China has brushed aside an international ruling that its claims have no legal basis, and has deployed navy and coast guard vessels that Manila says harass its vessels and stop them accessing some reefs and islands in the waters.

This has led to violent confrontations that have resulted in injuries to Filipino personnel and damage to their vessels in the past 18 months.

That has sparked concern the United States could be drawn into an armed conflict due to its mutual defense treaty with the Philippines.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said any military agreement or security cooperation must not target "any third party or harm a third party's interests -- let alone undermine regional peace, exacerbate regional tensions."

The Philippine defense department said Austin is due to visit the western island of Palawan on Tuesday for a meeting with Filipino forces responsible for patrolling the South China Sea and defending outposts.

"President [Ferdinand] Marcos [Jr.] has repeated several times that the United States' presence in the Indo-Pacific region is essential for maintaining peace and stability in this region. He has said it, no ifs nor buts," said Teodoro.

Meanwhile, Austin said the United States' commitment to the Philippines is "ironclad."

"We are more than allies. We are family," he stressed.

COMBINED COORDINATION CENTER

After the signing, Teodoro and Austin also led the ground-breaking ceremony of the Combined Coordination Center at Camp Aguinaldo.

The facility is seen as a "vital nexus for our joint operations, a gateway for information sharing and strategic coordination," according to Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. 

"It will enhance our ability to collaborate during crisis, fostering an environment where our strengths combine to safeguard peace and security in our region," Brawner added. 

HUMANITARIAN AID

Meanwhile, Austin said he had authorized the US forces to provide direct support in responding to the impacts of Super Typhoon Pepito in the Philippines. 

He said an additional million dollars in urgent humanitarian aid had been secured to assist those affected by the storm.

"I recognize that just yesterday you had yet another horrific storm come through, and our thoughts, prayers, and condolences are with the people who have been disadvantaged because of not only this storm, but the five storms that preceded this last storm," Austin said. -- with a report from Michael Delizo, ABS-CBN News

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