US and allied forces kick off combat drills with Philippines despite Washington's focus on Iran
Associated Press
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From left, Major General Francisco Lorenzo Jr., Philippine exercise director, Philippine military Chief General Romeo Brawner, U.S. Charge d' Affaires, Ad interim Y. Robert Ewing, Philippine Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations J3 Major General Elmer Suderio and US Lieutenant General Christian Wortman, Commanding General I Marine Expeditionary Force, pose during the opening ceremonies of the joint military exercise dubbed "Balikatan" or "Shoulder to Shoulder", Monday, April 20, 2026, at Camp Aguinaldo military headquarters in Quezon city, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)Lt. Gen. Christian Wortman, Commanding General of the U.S. Marine Expeditionary Force, speaks during the opening ceremonies of the joint military exercise dubbed "Balikatan" or "Shoulder to Shoulder," Monday, April 20, 2026, at Camp Aguinaldo military headquarters in Quezon city, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)Japan army Maj. Gen. Toshikatsu Musha, left, and Japan navy Rear Admiral Izuru Ikeuchi pose as they participate during the opening ceremonies of the joint military exercise dubbed "Balikatan" or "Shoulder to Shoulder," Monday, April 20, 2026, in Quezon city, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)Philippine military Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner, left, has the "Balikatan" patch from U.S. Charge d' Affaires, Ad interim Y. Robert Ewing during the opening ceremonies of the joint military exercise dubbed "Balikatan" or "Shoulder to Shoulder," Monday, April 20, 2026, at Camp Aguinaldo military headquarters in Quezon city, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)Japan army Maj. Gen. Toshikatsu Musha, left, talks with a U.S. marines after the opening ceremonies of the joint military exercise dubbed "Balikatan" or "Shoulder to Shoulder," Monday, April 20, 2026, in Quezon city, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
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From left, Major General Francisco Lorenzo Jr., Philippine exercise director, Philippine military Chief General Romeo Brawner, U.S. Charge d' Affaires, Ad interim Y. Robert Ewing, Philippine Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations J3 Major General Elmer Suderio and US Lieutenant General Christian Wortman, Commanding General I Marine Expeditionary Force, pose during the opening ceremonies of the joint military exercise dubbed "Balikatan" or "Shoulder to Shoulder", Monday, April 20, 2026, at Camp Aguinaldo military headquarters in Quezon city, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)