The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) strongly condemned the firing of Japanese Type 88 anti-ship missiles on Philippine soil during the Balikatan 2026 war exercises, calling it a dangerous escalation of foreign military intervention that further drags the country into the intensifying US-led war preparations in the Indo-Pacific region.

For the first time since World War II, Japan fired anti-ship missiles outside its territory during joint exercises in Northern Luzon alongside US, Philippine, Australian, and Canadian forces. The missiles struck and sank a decommissioned Philippine Navy vessel (BRP Quezon) in waters near the Luzon Strait, a highly strategic flashpoint near Taiwan and the South China Sea.

KMP said the conclusion of Balikatan 2026 today does not erase the grave dangers created by weeks of war drills, missile deployments, and combat simulations conducted across the country. “Year after year, Balikatan proves that the Philippines is being transformed into a launching pad and testing ground for foreign military powers,” said KMP Secretary General Ronnie Manalo.

“The firing of Japanese anti-ship missiles in Ilocos and the earlier launch of US Tomahawk missiles exposed how the Marcos Jr administration is surrendering Philippine sovereignty to US-led military aggression and Japanese powers,” Manalo added.

KMP warned that the expanding role of Japan in Balikatan exercises marks a dangerous revival of Japanese militarism in the region under the banner of “regional security” and “deterrence.” Around 1,400 Japanese troops participated in this year’s exercises, the biggest Japanese involvement in Balikatan history.

The peasant group stressed that Filipino farmers and fisherfolk in Northern Luzon and coastal communities are the ones placed directly at risk as military installations, missile systems, and live-fire drills are concentrated near civilian communities and agricultural areas.

“Foreign troops and missiles do not bring food, land, or livelihood to farmers. They bring militarization, displacement, environmental destruction, and the danger of the Philippines becoming a battlefield in an inter-imperialist conflict,” Manalo said.

KMP also criticized the Marcos Jr administration for deepening military agreements with the United States while the country suffers from soaring food prices, landlessness, low farmgate prices, and worsening rural poverty.

“The government spends billions for war games and military expansion while farmers continue to suffer from lack of subsidies, cheap imported food, and disasters destroying crops and livelihoods,” Manalo added.

KMP reiterated its demand for the immediate abrogation of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which it said serve as legal mechanisms for permanent foreign military presence and intervention in the country. The group said these agreements have turned the Philippines into a forward military outpost of the United States in its challenge vs. China.

“Then and now, the Filipino people do not benefit from these unequal military agreements. The MDT, VFA, and EDCA only serve US geopolitical interests while dragging ordinary Filipinos to imperialist wars,” Manalo said.

KMP called on the public to oppose the continued expansion of foreign military presence in the Philippines and support campaigns for genuine national sovereignty, demilitarization, and a foreign policy independent from US military dictates.

“True national security comes from food security, genuine land reform, national industrialization, and the protection of our sovereignty and not from foreign missiles, warships, and endless Balikatan exercises,” Manalo ended. ###