The Philippine Navy (PN) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will take part in all major events during the sea phase of this year’s Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise, with the United States highlighting Manila's growing role in the world's largest multinational maritime drills.

Rear Admiral Suzanne M. Bailey, commander of the RIMPAC Combined Exercise Control Group and deputy commander of the US 3rd Fleet, said PN and PCG forces will be fully integrated into the exercise after deploying air assets, special operations forces, and two surface ships.

“We are confident in their ability as partners here at RIMPAC and they will be incorporated in each and every one of our events come the at-sea phase," Bailey said during a virtual press briefing on Monday, July 6.

“I am thankful for the partnership that we have with them,” she added.

The PN deployed its newest guided missile frigate, BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-6) while the PCG sent the offshore patrol vessel BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) to Hawaii for the 30th iteration of the RIMPAC.

Bailey said RIMPAC 2026 is focused on improving interoperability among allied and partner forces, and the exercise will include live-fire events, amphibious operations, anti-submarine warfare training, and the integration of unmanned systems.

She described unmanned platforms as “an absolutely essential part of today and our future in naval warfare” and said the exercise serves as the main venue for allies to develop manned and unmanned operations together.

Thirty countries, including the Philippines, are taking part in the RIMPAC, bringing together 31 warships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, more than 190 aircraft, and around 30,000 military personnel in and around Hawaii from June 24 to July 31. It carries the theme “Partners: Integrated and Prepared.”

Bailey said the PCG and PN’s participation in the biennial exercise would be significant as tensions persist in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Although she declined to discuss the geopolitical situation and said government officials should address questions on policy, Bailey stressed that RIMPAC is centered on strengthening cooperation and improving the ability of participating forces to operate together.

“Exercises like RIMPAC are about much more than ships and aircraft. They are about the people and the partnerships that have been built over decades and continue to grow stronger through shared training and cooperation,” Bailey said.

“Together, we improve our collective readiness while advancing our shared commitment to a free and open theater,” she added.

The country has steadily expanded military cooperation with its treaty ally, Washington, as both countries deepen defense ties under their mutual defense alliance.

The AFP has joined more complex bilateral and multilateral exercises in recent years while the two allies continue to face security challenges in the WPS.

Bailey also welcomed the participation of the PCG, which is joining RIMPAC for the first time.

“By having the Philippines here en masse, where they are, makes us a stronger force who is really trying to take all of our integration to a high operating standard,” she said.

"They have come ready and we are going to integrate them into every event they wish to be in,” she noted.