- April 20, 2026
U.S., allied forces kick off combat drills with Philippines despite Washington’s focus on Iran
Philippine Exercise Director Francisco Lorenzo, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner, U.S. Charge d’ Affaires Robert Ewing, AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations Major General Elmer B Suderio, and I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) Commanding General and U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General Christian Wortman, pose for a photo during the opening ceremony of the Balikatan joint military exercises, at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
| Photo Credit: Reuters
The United States and the Philippines kicked off one of their largest combat exercises on Monday (April 20, 2026) in an annual display of allied military might aimed at deterring aggression in Asia, despite Washington’s preoccupation with the war in West Asia.
The large-scale combat drills between the U.S. and Philippines will expand this year to include other militaries, including from Japan, France and Canada, which have signed visiting forces agreements with Manila, the Philippine military said.
Published – April 20, 2026 01:05 pm IST
