Marilyn Cahatol

Representatives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Armed Forces attend the opening ceremonies of the RP-US Balikatan Exercises at the Tejeros Hall, AFP Commissioned Officers Club Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City on April 11, 2023. Over 17,600 servicemen - 5,400  from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and 12,200 US military personnel will participate in the 38th Balikatan excercise scheduled this April. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

US-PH MILITARY EXERCISE

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/178805466497620230411-balikatan-exercise-opening-jc1693.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false" style="text-align:left">Representatives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Armed Forces attend the opening ceremonies of the RP-US Balikatan Exercises at the Tejeros Hall, AFP Commissioned Officers Club Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City on April 11, 2023. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Sunday reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the Philippines’ alliance with the United States, as the countries’ mutual defense treaty (MDT) reaches 75th year. </p><p>“As we mark this milestone, the AFP reaffirms its commitment to further strengthen the alliance, enhance our defense capabilities and interoperability, and contribute to a free, open, peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific,” AFP said in a statement. </p><p>The MDT is a 1951 defense pact that obliges both countries to come to each other’s defense in case of an armed attack.  </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/31/ph-us-defense-chiefs-reiterate-commitment-to-military-alliance-1002">PH, US defense chiefs reiterate commitment to military alliance</a></div><p>AFP stressed that for seven decades, the MDT has provided a framework for sustained cooperation between the two countries, strengthening interoperability, enhancing defense capabilities, and contributing to peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region. </p><p>It said the AFP and the US military continue to work together in addressing shared security challenges through exercises, maritime security cooperation, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, and other engagements.</p><p>As part of MDT, the Philippines and the US have been holding Balikatan, annual military exercises where AFP and the US military work together to hone their training, intelligence and capacity to respond to external threats.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/4/ph-us-japan-forces-simulate-coastal-defense-repel-mock-invasion-in-laoag-drills-1650">Balikatan 2026: PH, US, Japan forces simulate coastal defense, repel mock invasion in Laoag drills</a></div><p>The US has been an ally of the Philippines in pushing back against China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o_IebWd3pgQ?si=rCTrYuUzwLl713R4" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Sunday reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the Philippines’ alliance with the United States, as the countries’ mutual defense treaty (MDT) reaches 75th year.</p>

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Sunday reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the Philippines’ alliance with the United States, as the countries’ mutual defense treaty (MDT) reaches 75th year.

AFP reaffirms commitment to PH-US alliance in 75th year of mutual defense treaty

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AFP reaffirms commitment to PH-US alliance in 75th year of mutual defense treaty

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 30, 2026 11:44 AM PHT

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Armed Forces of the Philippines

United States

mutual defense treaty

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