The United States will include the Philippines in all at-sea activities during this year’s Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises, BusinessWorld reported, underscoring Washington’s confidence in its treaty ally’s growing maritime capabilities.
RIMPAC is the world’s largest international maritime exercise, held biennially in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The inclusion of the Philippines in all events marks a significant step in the bilateral defense relationship.
US officials expressed confidence in the Philippine military’s ability to operate alongside allied forces in complex maritime environments. The development comes amid ongoing tensions in the South China Sea.