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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider AFP deepens ties with US, Japan ahead of major drills

AFP deepens ties with US, Japan ahead of major drills

Published Feb 14, 2026 02:31 pm
Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete (right), commanding general of the Philippine Army (PA), receives United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) Commanding General Gen. Ronald P. Clark during a high-level visit and meeting at the PA Headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on February 12, 2026. (Photo: PA)
Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete (right), commanding general of the Philippine Army (PA), receives United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) Commanding General Gen. Ronald P. Clark during a high-level visit and meeting at the PA Headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on February 12, 2026. (Photo: PA)
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has strengthened its military cooperation with the United States and Japan in separate high-level engagements ahead of major military exercises set this year, ranking officials disclosed on Saturday, Feb. 14.
The Philippine Army (PA) said it is bolstering its security and defense partnership with the US Army Pacific (USARPAC) as it shifts from internal security to external security operations.
Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, PA commanding general, met with USARPAC Commanding General Ronald P. Clark during the latter’s courtesy visit at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City last Feb. 12.
The engagement was built on the meeting of the two leaders in Hawaii in December 2025. It also followed the 14th Steering Committee Meeting held at Fort Bonifacio in November 2025.
“The Philippine Army is firmly committed to deepening our partnership with the US Army. Together with like-minded nations, we are dedicated to maintaining regional stability and promoting peace across the broader Indo-Pacific region,” Nafarrete said.
According to the PA, the meeting reaffirmed the bilateral alliance between the two ground forces.
Clark’s visit came ahead of Exercise Salaknib between the PA and USARPAC, and Exercise Balikatan both scheduled in April.
Commodore Emilio G. Orio Jr. (right), commander of the Philippine Navy's (PN) Naval Air Warfare Force, meets with Commander Kawahata Noriyuki, Assistant Defense Attaché from the Embassy of Japan to the Philippines, at the Naval Air Warfare Force Headquarters in Sangley Point, Cavite on January 30, 2026. (Photo: PN Naval Air Warfare Force)
Commodore Emilio G. Orio Jr. (right), commander of the Philippine Navy's (PN) Naval Air Warfare Force, meets with Commander Kawahata Noriyuki, Assistant Defense Attaché from the Embassy of Japan to the Philippines, at the Naval Air Warfare Force Headquarters in Sangley Point, Cavite on January 30, 2026. (Photo: PN Naval Air Warfare Force)
Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy’s Naval Air Warfare Force welcomed Commander Kawahata Noriyuki, Assistant Defense Attaché from the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, during a courtesy visit at its headquarters in sangley Point, Cavite last Jan. 30.
Kawahata is from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Fleet Air Force.
“The engagement provided an opportunity to further strengthen bilateral relations between the Naval Air Warfare Force of the Philippine Navy and the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) Fleet Air Force through professional exchanges and discussions on naval air operations,” said Commodore Emilio Orio Jr., commander of the Naval Air Warfare Force.
Barbara said the engagement focused on strengthening bilateral relations between NAWFOR and the JMSDF Fleet Air Force.
The discussions covered anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and unmanned aerial system capabilities of both forces.
The two sides said the exchanges aimed to enhance their interoperability and maritime domain awareness.

Related Tags

AFP Philippine Army Philippine Navy Salaknib Balikatan USARPAC JMSDF
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