This handout taken and released on November 18, 2024 by the Philippine Department of National Defense shows US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (L) and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro posing after signing the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Metro Manila. US and Philippine defence chiefs signed an agreement November 18 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. (Photo by Handout / DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / Philippine Department of National Defense" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS (Photo by HANDOUT/DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE/AFP via Getty Images)

This handout taken and released on November 18, 2024 by the Philippine Department of National Defense shows US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (L) and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro signing the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Metro Manila. US and Philippine defence chiefs signed an agreement November 18 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. (Photo by Handout / DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / Philippine Department of National Defense" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS (Photo by HANDOUT/DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE/AFP via Getty Images)

This handout taken and released on November 18, 2024 by the Philippine Department of National Defense shows Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro (R) handing a token after presenting the Outstanding Achievement Medal to US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in recognition to his contributions to strengthening US-Philippines defence ties and promoting regional security, at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Metro Manila. US and Philippine defence chiefs signed an agreement November 18 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. (Photo by Handout / DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / Philippine Department of National Defense" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS (Photo by HANDOUT/DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE/AFP via Getty Images)

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (R) shakes hands with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos during a courtesy call at the Malacanang Palace in Manila on November 18, 2024. US and Philippine defence chiefs signed an agreement November 18 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. (Photo by Gerard CARREON / POOL / AFP) (Photo by GERARD CARREON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (R) poses with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos during a courtesy call at the Malacanang Palace in Manila on November 18, 2024. US and Philippine defence chiefs signed an agreement November 18 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. (Photo by Gerard CARREON / POOL / AFP) (Photo by GERARD CARREON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (L) meets with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos during a courtesy call at the Malacanang Palace in Manila on November 18, 2024. US and Philippine defence chiefs signed an agreement November 18 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. (Photo by Gerard CARREON / POOL / AFP) (Photo by GERARD CARREON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (R) poses with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos during a courtesy call at the Malacanang Palace in Manila on November 18, 2024. US and Philippine defence chiefs signed an agreement November 18 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. (Photo by Gerard CARREON / POOL / AFP) (Photo by GERARD CARREON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (2nd R) meets with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos during a courtesy call at the Malacanang Palace in Manila on November 18, 2024. US and Philippine defence chiefs signed an agreement November 18 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. (Photo by Gerard CARREON / POOL / AFP) (Photo by GERARD CARREON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)