U.S. reaffirms defense ties at Memorial rite
Soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States military check the surroundings for any signs of the enemy as part of the Balikatan’s live fire exercises at Barangay Dodan in Aparri, Cagayan.
Analy Labor
The United States reaffirmed its “ironclad alliance” with the Philippines during Memorial Day ceremonies at the Manila American Cemetery on Sunday, highlighting expanding military cooperation and decades of defense ties between the two countries.
Speaking before diplomats, military officials, veterans and guests, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Robert Ewing noted that this year marks several milestones in US-Philippine relations, including the 80th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 75th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty.
“Here at the Manila American Cemetery, more than 17,000 American and Filipino servicemembers rest side by side,” Ewing said. “Much has changed in our world since they were laid to rest. But here, something essential endures. We still stand shoulder to shoulder.”
Ewing cited the recently concluded Exercise Balikatan 2026, which involved about 17,000 troops from the Philippines, the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Japan and New Zealand. He described it as the largest and most extensive iteration of the annual joint military exercises.