Over 500 US-Philippines security engagements set for 2026, including Balikatan
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and the United States have approved more than 500 joint military engagements for the coming year, including the Balikatan exercises in 2026.
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of the US Indo-Pacific command, signed the 8-star memo and activities list during the annual Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) at Camp Smith, Hawaii, on August 7.
The approved activities range from large-scale military exercises, like the Balikatan, to smaller expert exchanges between the two armed forces.
"Both leaders renewed their commitment to deepened cooperation and interoperability to bolster deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region and achieve peace through strength," the US INDOPACOM said in a statement on Monday, August 18.
Following the Hawaii meeting, each US Indo-Pacific Command service component hosted their Philippine counterparts to begin detailed planning for next year's activities, according to the statement.
"The U.S.-Philippine military partnership continues to grow while addressing national defense capabilities and demonstrating a joint initiative for regional security and disaster response," the statement read."
"Bilateral and multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activities (MCAs) proved a key success this year. These events are essential in ensuring freedom of navigation and improving interoperability," it added.
The Mutual Defense Board, established in 1958, and the Security Engagement Board, created in 2006, together direct the Philippines' and US' defense cooperation under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.
The 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty commits both the Philippines and the US to come to each other's aid if either faces an armed attack.
Hostilities between the Philippines' and China's vessels in the West Philippine Sea in recent years have prompted Washington to repeatedly warn that it's obligated to defend the Philippines if Filipino forces come under attack, including in the South China Sea.
China has recently dialed up its assertiveness in the South China Sea and in waters that fall within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. On August 11, just days after the Hawaii meetings, a Chinese navy destroyer collided with its own coast guard vessel while pursuing the Philippine patrol boat BRP Suluan near Scarborough Shoal.
The 44.5-meter Philippine vessel had been distributing supplies to Filipino fishermen when it was chased by the much larger Chinese ships.
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