Lithuania and the Philippines signed a security alliance agreement in Manila to address mutual concerns over growing aggression from countries like China. The pact, signed by Defence Ministers Dovilė Šakalienė and Gilberto Teodoro Jr., focuses on defense cooperation, particularly in cyber security, munitions production, and maritime security. Šakalienė expressed alarm over an 'authoritarian axis' involving Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran, emphasizing the need for a unified response from pro-democracy nations. The Philippines has been documenting China's aggressive actions in the South China Sea to garner international support.