HONOLULU, HAWAII – Major General Vicente MAP Blanco III PN(M), Commandant, Philippine Marine Corps, together with the Philippine Marine Corps official party, participated in the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium 2026 (PALS 2026), hosted by the United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC), in Honolulu, Hawaii, from June 15 to 18, 2026.

As the premier annual gathering of senior amphibious and maritime leaders in the Indo-Pacific, PALS 2026 provided a venue to strengthen partnerships and advance regional security cooperation. A key highlight was the conduct of bilateral and multilateral Key Leader Engagements (KLEs), where the Philippine Marine Corps engaged with allied and partner forces, including the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific and its subordinate commands, as well as the Indonesian Marine Corps, Royal Thai Marine Corps, Republic of Korea Marine Corps, Australian Army, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Netherlands Marine Corps, United Kingdom Commando Force, and the French Army.

Discussions focused on the development and sustainment of amphibious capabilities, expansion of exercises and training opportunities, and enhancement of interoperability among partner forces. Complementing the symposium were the 2nd Senior Enlisted Leaders Forum and the Spouse Program, which highlighted leadership development, personnel wellness, and cultural exchanges.

As PALS 2026 concluded, participating nations reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional partnerships and enhancing collective maritime and amphibious capabilities in support of a secure, stable, and resilient Indo-Pacific region.