Rappler's latest stories on Balikatan exercises
Lorenzana welcomes suspension of VFA repeal
(UPDATED) 'In times of crises and global uncertainty, it is our belief that nations are only made stronger if we work together and focus our efforts on tackling the various challenges that confront us all,' says Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
Balikatan exercises canceled because of coronavirus
(UPDATED) What would have been the last iteration of the yearly drills between Filipino and American forces has been called off to protect soldiers’ health, says the US Indo-Pacific Command
No more military exercises with U.S. when VFA lapses – Lorenzana
Although planned joint exercises may still continue in the next 6 months, there won’t be any when the termination of the military pact takes effect, says the defense chief
What will happen to PH military if the VFA is terminated?
Can joint military exercises with American troops continue without the Visiting Forces Agreement? At the very least, mounting them would become a lot more difficult.
PH-U.S. military operations could ‘disappear’ if VFA scrapped – U.S. official
Some 300 joint activities between Philippine and U.S. forces require the VFA as a basis for operations, says U.S. Assistant Secretary of State R. Clarke Cooper
PH, U.S. forces play up friendship amid calls for defense treaty review
'Balikatan is not just a fulfilment of our obligations under the Mutual Defense Treaty, but a commitment to solidify and strengthen the friendship of our nations,' says Defense Undersecretary Cardozo Luna
LOOK: World's most advanced stealth aircraft featured in Balikatan 2019
The F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Force appears for the first time in the Philippines, onboard the US Navy's USS Wasp during the Balikatan 2019 amphibious exercises in Zambales
Balikatan 2019: PH, U.S. forces 'take over' beach in Zambales
Philippine and US forces bring out battle-ready ships and vehicles as they complete an exercise to take control of a shorefront in the Naval Education Training Center in Zambales
[ANALYSIS] Balikatan: U.S. shifts gears from counterterrorism to great power competition
Balikatan may yet emerge as the template for multilateral exercises among US and its close allies in the entire Indo-Pacific region
DND, AFP renew call for defense treaty review in Balikatan 2019
'Remember the treaty was made in 1951, and several things have already transpired,' says Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Benjamin Madrigal Jr
Balikatan vs China? Drills not aimed at any country, says U.S.
US Balikatan Exercise Director Chris McPhillips says the purpose of the exercises is to develop cooperation among Filipino, American, and Australian soldiers
PH, U.S. armed forces open Balikatan 2019
Balikatan 2019 marks one of the biggest in the project's history, involving 4,000 Filipino, 3,500 American, and 50 Australian soldiers
Duterte on Zeid, Abas as Comelec Commissioner, Go on Duterte | Evening wRap
Watch Rappler's evening newscast with Marguerite de Leon
PNP urges U.S. to include Filipino cops in Balikatan exercises
The proposal is in line with the Philippine National Police's modernization, which the government sees for the most part as militarization
PH-U.S. Balikatan drills open amid concerns over China missiles
(3rd UPDATE) The annual war games between the two treaty allies continue on its second year under President Rodrigo Duterte
The week in photos: May 13-19, 2017
This week s selection of photo highlights here and around the world
Cimatu, Napoles, ISIS | Evening wRap
Watch the evening newscast with David Lozada
Australia, Japan participate in Balikatan exercises
Australia is the only other country aside from US that has a visiting forces agreement with the Philippines
U.S. says Balikatan a 'most important exercise'
We are honored to participate in this most important exercise with this great ally of nearly 70 years the Philippines says US Marines Lieutenant General Lawrence Nicholson during the opening ceremony for Balikatan 2017
Balikatan, impeachment complaint, Macron | Midday wRap
Watch the midday newscast with Margie de Leon
1st PH-US Balikatan exercises under Duterte open
UPDATED The annual activity adjusts to President Rodrigo Duterte s orders: Balikatan 2017 exercises will not focus on external defense or maritime security
U.S. troops arrive for first Balikatan exercises under Duterte
The first Balikatan exercises under Duterte will focus on humanitarian assistance and disaster response and counter terrorism
Duterte, Marcos, Order of Lapu-Lapu | Evening wRap
Watch the evening newscast with Zak Yuson
Duterte wants 'demilitarization' in West PH Sea – Esperon
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr says stopping US Philippines war games could increase chances of a peaceful settlement of the West Philippine Sea maritime dispute
Yasay denies Duterte wants 'last military exercise' with US
After media insist on what they heard Duterte say Yasay modifies his response and says he did not hear that particular statement from the President
Duterte: Next PH-US military exercises will be last in my term
You US are scheduled to hold war games again which China does not want I will serve notice to you now this will be the last military exercise says President Rodrigo Duterte in Hanoi
Leaked Comelec data, Balikatan exercises, ExoMars | 12PM wRap
Watch Rappler’s 12PM newscast with Chay Hofileña
US fires long-range missiles in Balikatan war games
The Balikatan exercises are staged in the shadow of a festering dispute between the poorly equipped US ally and regional giant China over islands reefs and waters in the resource rich South China Sea
Military defense, election watch, Kobe Bryant | 12PM wRap
Watch Rappler’s 12PM newscast with Maria Ressa
US 'working closely' with PH probers on Filipino soldier's death
The US embassy conveys its condolences to the family of the Filipino airman who died in a tragic accident during the annual PH US joint military exercises
Filipino soldier dies in joint PH-US exercises
The airman accidentally falls into the seashore near the Subic airport during a parachute exercise
Approval ratings, Comelec leak, Panama Papers | 6PM wRap
Watch Rappler’s 6PM newscast with Maria Ressa
China warns 'outsiders' as PH-US war games begin
The exercises caps Manila s recent attempts to involve outsiders in a regional row
PH, US hold war games as China flexes muscles
The 11 day Balikatan exercises are expected to show how the Philippines though severely outgunned can counter China with the help of the United States its longest standing ally
War it is
Instead of waiting for America to act or whining at their doble cara my friend suggests the Philippines take the initiative and confront the vastly superior Chinese ships in the disputed shoal
US wants more countries to join war games with PH
The new commander of the US Pacific Fleet Admiral Scott Swift welcomes the controversial war games between the Philippines and Japan
Balikatan 2015, Binay and Jokowi, Mayweather gameplan | The wRap
The Philippines and US war games begin Binay wants to meet Jokowi to save Mary Jane Mayweather’s plans to counter Pacquiao’s left hand
Curfew, nightclub ban on US troops killing businesses in Olongapo, Subic
Some establishments have already closed while others are just struggling to survive right now according to business owners
PH-US troops begin war games near disputed waters
The exercises involving 5 500 Filipino and American soldiers will be held in Palawan and Zambales among other areas to demonstrate maritime security cooperation between the two treaty allies
US to train PH troops on maritime surveillance
At least 3 000 Philippine troops will train with 2 500 US soldiers on humanitarian assistance and disaster response maritime surveillance and civil military operations among others
PH-US war games begin Friday
This is the 4th year that the Balikatan exercises will be focusing on humanitarian assistance and disaster response
