Tacloban fishers slam Balikatan exercises
"We heard a loud boom and we thought it was a crash landing. We were all scared and traumatized.”
The post Tacloban fishers slam Balikatan exercises appeared first on Bulatlat.
https://www.bulatlat.com/2026/05/09/tacloban-fishers-slam-balikatan-exercises/

#bulatlat #philippines #EconomicandSocioCulturalRights #BagongAlyansangMakabayan #Balikatan #Fisherfolk #KatungodSinirangangBisayas #Taclobancity

Japan’s Self-Defense Forces Launch Anti-Ship Missiles In The Philippines

In the presence of Philippines’ Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, the media and many other officials, the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) launched two anti-ship missiles during a Balikatan multi-national exercise held in Paoay in the Philippines, according to a Kyodo News report. The live-fire drill involved one hundred forty ground SDF personnel and was a success in terms of directly hitting a target at sea.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Kyodo News Some parts in boldface…

The Japanese Self-Defense Forces on Wednesday fired two anti-ship missiles during a large-scale multinational exercise in the Philippines, with the two countries’ defense ministers observing the launches.

The two Type 88 surface-to-ship missiles successfully hit and sank a decommissioned Philippine navy vessel floating about 75 kilometers off Paoay on the northern Philippine island of Luzon during the annual Balikatan exercise co-hosted by the United States and the Philippines.

The live-fire drill involving about 140 Ground Self-Defense Force personnel was open to the media.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his Philippine counterpart, Gilberto Teodoro, watched the drill on site, while Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. observed the exercise remotely from Manila, according to the military of the Southeast Asian country.

China criticized the missile launches, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian saying Japan’s “right-wing forces are pushing for the acceleration of remilitarization,” posing a threat to regional peace and stability.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Japan and their Filipino counterpart will cooperate even more to enhance the Philippines’ defense capabilities and modernize its military? Do you think it is inevitable that the Philippines will purchase more military weapons from Japan in the near future? Were you surprised to learn about Communist China’s criticism against the successful live-drill?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Groups slam Tomahawk missile firing under Balikatan exercise
“All missile systems [...] should be immediately removed since they endanger our communities and undermine our national security."
The post Groups slam Tomahawk missile firing under Balikatan exercise appeared first on Bulatlat.
https://www.bulatlat.com/2026/05/07/groups-slam-tomahawk-missile-firing-under-balikatan-exercise/

#bulatlat #philippines #NationalSovereignty #Balikatan #Tomahawkmissile #USimperialism

Άσκηση Balikatan 2026: Η μεγαλύτερη στρατιωτική άσκηση στον Ειρηνικό είναι γεγονός

Ενώ το βλέμμα των περισσότερων είναι στραμμένο στις συγκρούσεις στη Μέση Ανατολή, στην άλλη πλευρά του πλανήτη, στις Φιλιππίνες, μόλις ξεκίνησε κάτι που οι στρατιωτικοί αναλυτές χαρακτηρίζουν ως «επίδειξη δύναμης χωρίς προηγούμενο». Η άσκηση Balikatan 2026 (που στη γλώσσα των Φιλιππίνων σημαίνει «ώμο με ώμο») δεν είναι απλώς μια εκπαίδευση ρουτίνας, αλλά ένα ξεκάθαρο μήνυμα γεωπολιτικής ισχύος.

https://youtu.be/4keccpvlnCA

Η φετινή διοργάνωση σπάει κάθε προηγούμενο ρεκόρ. Συμμετέχουν πάνω από 16.000 στρατιώτες από συνολικά 7 χώρες, με τις ΗΠΑ και τις Φιλιππίνες να έχουν τον κύριο ρόλο. Ωστόσο, η είδηση βρίσκεται στη συμμετοχή δυνάμεων από την Αυστραλία, τη Γαλλία και, για πρώτη φορά σε τέτοια κλίμακα, παρατηρητών από την Ιαπωνία και τη Νότια Κορέα.

Τα 3 σημεία-κλειδιά της άσκησης:

Με μια ματιά

• Ποιοι: ΗΠΑ, Φιλιππίνες, Αυστραλία, Γαλλία κ.α.
• Πού: Στο αρχιπέλαγος των Φιλιππίνων και τη Νότια Κινεζική Θάλασσα.
• Γιατί: Για να δείξουν στην Κίνα ότι οι ΗΠΑ και οι σύμμαχοί τους είναι έτοιμοι να υπερασπιστούν την ελεύθερη ναυσιπλοΐα στην περιοχή.

Η Balikatan 2026 είναι η «απάντηση» της Δύσης στην επεκτατική πολιτική της Κίνας. Είναι μια άσκηση ισορροπίας σε τεντωμένο σχοινί, σε μια περιοχή που πολλοί φοβούνται ότι θα μπορούσε να γίνει το επόμενο μεγάλο μέτωπο του πλανήτη.

Philippines says US access to bases limited by land issues

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://interaksyon.philstar.com/politics-issues/2026/04/21/312308/philippines-says-us-access-to-bases-limited-by-land-issues/

US And Philippines Open Annual Joint Military Exercise, Several Allies Expected To Join In

The United States and the Philippines formally opened this year’s edition of Balikatan (Exercise Balikatan 41-2026) which is their annual joint military exercise focused on readiness, unity and defense, according to a news report by GMA News. Several allied nations and seventeen thousand troops are expected to participate in the exercise which will have military drills across various parts of the Philippines.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippines and the United States on Monday formally opened their annual joint Balikatan Exercise for this year, with 17,000 troops and several other countries expected to join.

“I hereby declare Exercise Balikatan 41-2026 officially open starting today,” AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said during the opening ceremony.

“Let this exercise not only demonstrate our readiness but affirm our commitment to stand together, to act together, and when necessary, defend together,” he added.

More than 17,000 troops from the Philippines, the United States, and partner nations including Australia, Canada, France, Japan, and New Zealand. At least 18 more countries are expected to serve as observers in the exercise.

The drills will be conducted across various parts of the Philippines from Luzon to Mindanao.

Balikatan 2026 will cover multiple domains such as air and missile defense, maritime security, live-fire exercises, and joint readiness operations.

The exercises will also include humanitarian and civic assistance programs such as building schools, supporting healthcare initiatives, and enhancing disaster preparedness in local communities.

Brawner said the expanded scope of the exercise reflects the evolving security environment.

Balikatan 2026 will be transformed from a bilateral activity between the Philippines and US into a multilateral effort aimed at improving interoperability and collective defense capabilities.

Brawner pointed out that the drills are anchored on respect for international law, national sovereignty, and the goal of promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think transforming this year’s Balilkatan from a bilateral US-Philippines activity into a multilateral effort makes sense? Considering the number of allies and soldiers expected to participate in the 2026 Balikatan, do you think Communist China will feel intimidated?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Philippines as a US military base?
“Marcos is increasingly turning our islands into a war playground for US troops and its allies."
The post Philippines as a US military base? appeared first on Bulatlat.
https://www.bulatlat.com/2026/04/15/philippines-as-a-us-military-base/

#bulatlat #philippines #NationalSovereignty #Balikatan #Enhanceddefensecooperationagreement #Philippinesovereignty

Jeanne d’Arc 2026 : Le porte-hélicoptères Dixmude participera à l’exercice Balikatan, aux Philippines

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.opex360.com/2026/02/06/jeanne-darc-2026-le-porte-helicopteres-dixmude-participera-a-lexercice-balikatan-aux-philippines/

Pekin testuje Trumpa na Filipinach

Chiny zajeły kolejną wysepkę na Morzu Południowochińskim. Na dzisiaj nie wygląda, aby Chińczycy szykowali się do jej stałej okupacji. Zwłaszcza, że już mają w okolicy bazę na rafie Subi. Strategicznie i taktycznie cała operacja nie ma większego sensu, ale politycznie Pekin wysyła nią szereg sygnałów.

https://wp.me/p3fv0T-hmb #POLECANE #Filipiny #USA #Chiny #ChRL, #SubiReef #SandyCayReef #Balikatan #rafa #MorzePołudniowochińskie

🇵🇭 PHILIPPINES | 🇺🇸 US
🔴 US & Philippines Launch Massive War Drills Amid China Tension

🔸 14,000 troops begin “Balikatan” joint exercise simulating island defense.
🔸 Includes missile strikes, drone ops & deployment of Tomahawks near S. China Sea.
🔸 China slams drills as destabilizing; U.S. reaffirms defense pact with Manila.

#Balikatan #Philippines #US #China #SouthChinaSea #MilitaryDrills #IndoPacific