Jamaine Punzalan

Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Marine Corps conduct a live-fire exercise against an imaginary enemy target facing the West Philippine Sea at the Laoag Sand Dunes on May 6, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

2024 Balikatan Exercise

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177077936180220240506-balikatan-laoag-ilocos-JC-9773.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Marine Corps conduct a live-fire exercise against an imaginary enemy target facing the West Philippine Sea at the Laoag Sand Dunes on May 6, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News </span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — The Philippines and the United States are set to conduct more than 500 military and security activities this year, a Philippine Navy official said Wednesday. </p><p>Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the activities—approved by the Mutual Defense Board – Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB)—would include large-scale exercises like the Balikatan, maritime cooperative activities (MCAs), air engagements, and subject matter expert exchanges (SMEEs), with the participation of other-like minded nations.</p><p>The MDB-SEB forms the framework that directs and enables defense and security cooperation in line with the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between Manila and Washington that calls for each other’s defense in case of an “armed attack.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>CHINA’S 2027 UNIFICATION ATTEMPT WITH TAIWAN</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>A senior military official who spoke on condition of anonymity said the decision to undertake the engagements did not happen overnight, noting that 2026 is viewed as a critical window ahead of China’s stated goal of completing military preparations to attempt unification with Taiwan by force by 2027.</p><p>“This is a deterrent to any actions concerning Taiwan that may destabilize the region,” the official told a group of journalists from the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam, including ABS-CBN News.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2026/2/5/lai-says-taiwan-us-cooperation-won-t-change-after-xi-s-warning-1224">Lai says Taiwan-US cooperation &#x27;won&#x27;t change&#x27; after Xi&#x27;s warning</a></div><p>The journalists were selected to participate in the second leg of the inaugural Southeast Asia Maritime Media Visits Project (SEAMMVP)—organized by La Trobe Asia and sponsored by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)—in Manila from February 9 to 14.</p><p>The official added that some of the planned exercises are already considered “rehearsals” for any eventuality, as the timeline coincides with heightened regional tensions linked to heated exchanges and escalating military activities in the Taiwan Strait.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/12/18/us-approves-11-billion-in-arms-sales-to-taiwan-taipei-1443">US approves $11 billion in arms sales to Taiwan — Taipei</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS OF FACILITIES IN BATANES, BABUYAN ISLANDS </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The official pointed out that in the event of a conflict in Taiwan, the “backflow” of over 200,000 Filipinos currently working and residing there is a major concern for the Philippine government.</p><p>“Any crisis there will affect the Filipinos there,” he said.</p><p>As part of contingency preparations, the government is undertaking “major developments of facilities” in the northern part of the country, particularly in Batanes and the Babuyan Islands in Cagayan, to support possible evacuation efforts.</p><p>“We have to be ready to receive them,” the official said.</p><div><iframe width="1201" height="675" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O3r7gbXcgrc" title="Taiwan on high alert as China&#x27;s military conducts live-fire exercises around the island" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>NON-COMBATANT EVACUATION OPERATIONS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>According to the official, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been conducting non-combatant evacuation operation practices and exercises.</p><p>While the military will lead the planning for such evacuations, actual implementation will involve the use of merchant marine vessels and civilian aviation assets.</p><p>The official noted that while Filipinos will be prioritized for evacuation, the government “is ready to receive individuals of any nationality” in an emergency situation.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/11/marcos-says-philippines-would-be-dragged-kicking-and-screaming-into-taiwan-war-1116">Marcos says Philippines would be dragged &#x27;kicking and screaming&#x27; into Taiwan war</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>WARNING SIGNS OF ESCALATING TENSIONS </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Asked if there were indications of escalating tensions in Taiwan, the official said signs were evident across several fronts: diplomatic, military and informational. </p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/10/chinese-embassy-says-kalayaan-officials-not-welcome-in-china-1911">Chinese embassy bans Kalayaan officials from entering China</a></div><p>“A transition from peace to crisis does not happen overnight,” the official said.</p><p>“Heated exchanges in the Taiwan Strait are an indicator,” he added.</p><p>The official emphasized that the AFP continuously plans for the “most dangerous scenario” amid evolving regional security challenges.</p><div><iframe width="1201" height="675" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GKrrGx2k_G8" title="PH Navy warns China may be exploiting political squabbles over WPS | ANC" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="1201" height="675" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lEH4k57x3Y4" title="&#x27;A congressman in favor of China?!&#x27;: 2 lawmakers clash over &#x27;defending China&#x27; 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<p>The Philippines and the United States are set to conduct more than 500 military and security activities this year, a Philippine Navy official said Wednesday.</p>

The Philippines and the United States are set to conduct more than 500 military and security activities this year, a Philippine Navy official said Wednesday.

Philippines, US to conduct over 500 military activities in 2026 as Taiwan concerns rise

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Philippines, US to conduct over 500 military activities in 2026 as Taiwan concerns rise

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 11, 2026 11:12 AM PHT

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Armed Forces of the Philippines

United States

military activities

Taiwan conflict

non-combatant evacuation

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