The deal, known as the General Security of Military Information Agreement, or GSOMIA, is in essence a leveling floor. It enforces a basic set of standards for how the two countries handle classified information, making it easier for America to share such data in times of need.

The United States and the Philippines signed an agreement on Monday to secure the exchange of highly confidential military intelligence and technology in key weapons the U.S. would provide to Manila.

The Philippines and the United States will sign on Monday a military intelligence-sharing deal, Manila's defence ministry said, in a further deepening of security ties between the two defence treaty allies.