The Philippines and Lithuania elevated their bilateral relationship to a strategic level on Monday with the signing of a defense cooperation memorandum. Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro met in Manila to seal the agreement, which underscores shared concerns over maritime security and regional threats.

Mutual Focus: Shadow Fleets and Maritime Sovereignty

“We see great potential for cooperation with the Philippines in many areas such as maritime security,” Sakaliene stated. She referenced shadow fleets operated by “big countries,” a veiled allusion to China’s activities in the South China Sea and similar patterns in the Baltic Sea. The ministers emphasized the need for coordinated responses to rising regional coercion and illegal maritime behaviors.

Philippines Expands Defense Network

The agreement is part of Manila’s broader strategic pivot to diversify its defense relationships beyond the United States. In recent years, the Philippines has forged defense agreements with Japan, New Zealand, Germany, the UK, and Canada, aligning with European and Indo-Pacific partners to counter China’s growing assertiveness.