The United States Embassy in Manila said the joint Balikatan war games would resume from February 18 to March 4, with focus on humanitarian work in Mindanao. An embassy statement said the US and the Philippines would concentrate on civil-military operations, including bringing medical assistance to areas like Jolo Island, where al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf militants are on the run from a major military offensive.

The exercise was cancelled last month following the conviction and jailing of  Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith for raping a Filipino woman. He was sentenced last month for 40 years for rape. The incident prompted Washington to indefinitely suspend the military exercises after the Philippine court initially refused to hand over custody of Smith to the US Embassy.