The Philippine Navy and the United States Navy held a bilateral engagement during the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) 2026, highlighting continued cooperation between the two allied naval forces.
The engagement took place aboard the Philippine Navy’s guided-missile frigate BRP Miguel Malvar on July 6, 2026, with the participation of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG-73).
BRP Miguel Malvar Commanding Officer Captain Paul Michael Hechanova PN (GSC) met with USS Decatur Commanding Officer Commander Arlene Crews, a Filipino-American officer who was born and raised in Dinalupihan, Bataan before joining the US Navy.
During the meeting, the two commanding officers exchanged professional insights and best practices, while emphasizing the value of sustained naval engagements in deepening mutual understanding and improving interoperability between partner navies.
The Philippine Navy said the activity reflects the longstanding alliance between the Philippines and the United States, built on mutual trust and a shared commitment to peace, stability, and a rules-based international order.
The Navy added that it will continue pursuing professional exchanges with partner nations as part of efforts to strengthen operational readiness and advance its goal of becoming a modern, multi-domain, and self-reliant naval force.