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U.S. and Philippines mark 75 years of defense pact with expanded drills
The allies also signed a memorandum to map the next phase of security cooperation, including larger-scale exercises and specialist exchanges, according to the US Pacific Command.
The Philippines and the United States marked 75 years since their 1951 defense alliance with renewed plans to step up joint drills as regional geopolitical tensions persist, according to analysts cited by SCMP Economy.
At a security engagement meeting in Manila on Saturday, US Indo-Pacific Command commander Admiral Samuel Paparo and Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff General Antonio Nafarrete reaffirmed their commitment to the mutual defense treaty and signed a memorandum outlining the next phase of cooperation.
US Pacific Command said the mapped plans include expanding large-scale military exercises and adding specialist exchanges, though Paparo and Nafarrete did not disclose additional details.
SCMP Economy notes the two countries have recently conducted joint and multilateral drills with partners including Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, including activities in contested waters near the Philippines.