Balikatan

[4] In 1951, the governments of the United States and the Philippines signed the Mutual Defense Treaty to "strengthen the fabric of peace" in the Pacific by agreeing to defend each other's territory in the case of external attack.

The VFA is a reciprocal agreement in that also outlines the requirements for Philippine troops visiting the United States.

[6] The Visiting Forces Agreement led to the establishment of the Balikatan exercises, as well as a variety of other cooperative measures.

[9] These military exercises contribute directly to the Philippine armed forces' efforts to root out Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah and bring development to formerly insurgent-held areas, notably Basilan and Jolo.

Renovation of elementary schools, community health initiatives, and the exchange of advanced emergency rescue and lifesaving techniques were among the collaborative efforts.

[16] The 2024 iteration of the 39th edition of Balikatan in Batanes and Palawan on April 22 to May 10, including Integrated Air and Missile Defense exercises in Central Luzon, is marked by further expansions with attendance of military observers from 14 countries.

Barangay San Rafael, Itbayat under Mayor Sabas de Sagon, is the site of the April 14 to June 6 construction of humanitarian, logistics and disaster relief warehouse at Sitio Kagonongan, a supply depot area at the San Rafael National Food Authority warehouse and an American physician’s assistant station and lodging facilities for American soldiers at Itbayat District Hospital.