By Liz Lagniton | 2026-03-23

The Philippines and the United States strengthened defense coordination following security talks in New York between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and US Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby, amid evolving Indo-Pacific security challenges.

The agenda of the meeting, held during Marcos' two-day working visit to New York in March, included accelerating military cooperation, improving interoperability and reinforcing commitments under the countries' Mutual Defense Treaty.

A 'stable and secure' region

Both sides reiterated their shared goal of maintaining a "stable and secure" Indo-Pacific, with officials highlighting the importance of closer coordination in strengthening deterrence and regional stability, Marcos' press office said in a statement on March 10.

Discussions centered on improving interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and US forces through expanded joint operations and training, Marcos' press office said.

A key component of this effort is Exercise Balikatan, the annual Philippine-US military exercise scheduled to begin in April. It is aimed at enhancing readiness and coordination.

During Balikatan ("shoulder to shoulder"), troops test interoperability, improve command and control procedures and familiarize forces with each other's operational protocols.

This year's Balikatan will be one of the largest ever, AFP Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Rommel Cordova said at a Stratbase Institute forum, according to Manila Standard.

In a post on X, Colby said the talks were "very productive." He underscored the "vital importance" of the Philippine-US alliance and efforts to further strengthen defense cooperation and described Marcos as a "model leader in leaning forward to address collective defense."

The Philippine-US partnership remains anchored on the Mutual Defense Treaty, signed in 1951. It commits the countries to support each other in the event of an armed attack in the Pacific area.

Expansion of cooperation

In recent years, defense cooperation has expanded through pacts such as the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, which allows US forces to operate from designated Philippine military bases for joint training, disaster response and humanitarian missions.

Officials from both countries have repeatedly described the alliance as "ironclad," emphasizing their joint commitment to regional stability and upholding a rules-based order.

Meanwhile, in a recent interview with SBS Australia, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. cited the need for sustained US engagement in the region.

"A robust US presence is an essential element of continued peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific," he said.

"Continued engagement by the United States, which is an Indo-Pacific player ... is essential for building a counterforce to whatever usurpative forces that are existing now or may exist in the future," he added.

Collective defense

The Philippines, Teodoro said, maintains a robust defense relationship with the United States, Australia and Japan, while expanding cooperation with partners such as New Zealand and Canada through visiting-force agreements.

"So we see these mini-lateral engagements based on collective defense needs to be enduring, to be more proactive in the future," he said.

The defense chief pointed to the Philippines' geographic position as a key factor shaping its security posture. The country has the longest "maritime boundary between China and the Pacific Ocean," he said.

"There are distinct advantages of engaging with the Philippines in a defense perspective because of its unique location," Teodoro said.

Espionage poses a growing and evolving risk and highlights the need for stronger legal protections and clearer enforcement mechanisms, he said.

Teodoro's remarks come as the Philippines seeks to strengthen intelligence sharing and coordination with allies amid intensifying geopolitical competition in the Indo-Pacific.

During Marcos' working visit to New York, the president promoted Manila's bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2027–2028.