Overview
- The Feb. 15–16 Maritime Cooperative Activity inside the Philippines’ EEZ featured USS Dewey, HMAS Toowoomba, BRP Diego Silang, Philippine Coast Guard BRP Teresa Magbanua and P-8A Poseidon aircraft.
- The U.S. and the Philippines announced a commitment to increase deployments of advanced U.S. missile and unmanned systems, deepen exercises and back Philippine military modernization.
- China’s Southern Theater Command said it ran combat‑readiness patrols as Chinese warships shadowed the drills, while the Armed Forces of the Philippines reported no interference or incidents.
- Previous U.S. deployments in the Philippines include the Typhon mid‑range system in northern Luzon and NMESIS on Batan Island, which Manila has kept in place despite Beijing’s call for removal.
- Partners framed actions under international law, with Australia reaffirming the 2016 arbitral ruling; the activities fell under a Philippine NOTAM and a 2026 MDB‑SEB program exceeding 500 events.