US, Philippines Conduct Large-Scale Drills Amid Increasing Chinese Aggression

Since 2023, the Philippines has worked with several countries to assert its rights in part of the South China Sea.

(L-R) Philippine exercise director Maj. Gen. Francisco Lorenzo Jr., Philippine military Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner, U.S. Charge d' Affaires Ad interim Y. Robert Ewing, Philippine Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations J3 Maj. Gen. Elmer Suderio, and U.S. Commanding General of the Marine Expeditionary Force Lt. Gen. Christian Wortman pose during a joint military exercise at Camp Aguinaldo military headquarters in Quezon City, Philippines, on April 20, 2026. Aaron Favila/AP Photo

The U.S. military and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) kicked off on April 20 one of their largest combat drills to strengthen collective defense in Asia as the region faces increased aggression from the Chinese regime.

The AFP said in a post on X that the 41st iteration of Exercise Balikatan, which means “shoulder-to-shoulder” in the Philippine native language Tagalog, is the “most expansive engagement in the exercise’s history.”