The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Philippines-United States Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) on Sunday, August 30.

The treaty, the AFP said, is a “cornerstone” of the enduring alliance as well as defense and security cooperation between the two countries.

“For seven decades, the MDT has provided a framework for sustained cooperation between the two countries, strengthening interoperability, enhancing defense capabilities, and contributing to peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region,” the AFP wrote in a statement.

The AFP and the U.S. military are continually working together to address shared security challenges through exercises, maritime security cooperation, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response, the Philippine military said.

“As we mark this milestone, the AFP reaffirms its commitment to further strengthen the alliance, enhance our defense capabilities and interoperability, and contribute to a free, open, peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific,” it said.