MANILA, Philippines – The United States and the Philippines approved more than 500 joint engagements, ranging from large-scale exercises to smaller subject matter expert exchanges during the annual Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) held at Camp Smith, Hawaii from Aug. 7-8.
According to a news release from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, hosted Gen. Romeo Brawner, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, for the annual meeting.
“During the visit, Paparo and Brawner signed the annual 8-Star memo and activities list, approving guidance and plans for continued collaboration, including Exercise Balikatan 2026, in the coming year,” INDOPACOM stated.
The co-chairs also approved more than 500 joint engagements; collaborations that will foster sustained interaction between both militaries and enhance operational readiness, INDOPACOM noted.
Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, meets with Gen. Romeo Brawner, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during the MDB-SEB hosted at Camp Smith, HI on August 7, 2025. The MDB-SEB was hosted to discuss matters of mutual concern associated with bilateral defense activities and non-traditional security activities. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, prevailing in conflict. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Angel Heraldez)
This is after bilateral and multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activities (MCAs) has proven successful this year, ensuring “freedom of navigation and improving interoperability.”
The completion of the MDB-SEB furthers cooperation between the U.S. and the Philippines, renewing both parties’ commitment to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.
According to the INDOPACOM, the Mutual Defense Board, established in 1958, and the Security Engagement Board, established in 2006, form the framework that directs and enables defense and security cooperation between the militaries of the United States and the Philippines.
“USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, prevailing in conflict,” the statement read.
Last July, following the meeting of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr, in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Department of State announced at least PHP3 billion (USD60 million) in foreign assistance funding to support energy, economic and maritime growth, the U.S. Embassy in Manila said.
