PH, US OK 500 joint military activities for 2026

MANILA – The Philippines and the United States have approved more than 500 joint military activities for 2026 during the recent Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB).
The annual MDB-SEB, held at Camp Smith, Hawaii on Aug. 7 and 8, was co-chaired by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner and US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo.
In a statement on Tuesday, INDOPACOM said the two officials signed the annual 8-Star memo and activities list, approving guidance and plans for continued collaboration, including Exercise “Balikatan” for 2026.
The INDOPACOM said the joint engagements xinclude large-scale exercises and smaller subject matter expert exchanges.
During their meeting, Brawner and Paparo renewed commitment to “bolster deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region and achieve peace through strength” by deepening cooperation and interoperability, the INDOPACOM said.
It added that US-Philippine military partnership has grown over the past year, citing the success of bilateral and multilateral maritime cooperative activities in Philippine waters.
The INDOPACOM also said the successful completion of the MDB-SEB “furthers cooperation between the US and the Philippines and renews their shared commitment to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.”
The Mutual Defense Board was created in 1958 while the Security Engagement Board was established in 2006.
The two boards serve as the framework that direct and enable defense and security cooperation between the US and Philippine militaries. (PNA)