At the height of Balikatan activities on May 1, the AFP announced its plan to establish a “Strategic Defense Command” within the year. The new command will reportedly be formed to oversee the hundreds of war games the US will launch in the Philippines, including Balikatan. This command is said to be drawn from the current Education, Training, and Doctrine Command of the AFP, which has long closely adhered to US military doctrines.

Alongside the formation of the new AFP command, the US will begin operating its new military units in the Philippines this year. The US Littoral Rotational Force-Luzon, which will be permanently stationed in the northern part of the island, has already started its operation.

The formation of the AFP’s Strategic Defense Command and the LRF’s permanent deployment in the Philippines are part of the US’ intensified preparations for war against China. The US continues to escalate military tensions with China by deliberately conducting large-scale war games near Taiwan, positioning long-range and anti-ship missile systems aimed at mainland China, and deploying troops and warships in areas very close to Taiwan and the disputed features in the South China Sea. The stockpiling of hundreds of weapons, vehicles, and other military equipment continues in various locations in the Philippines.

Protest against Balikatan

Demonstrations by national-democratic groups protested the opening of Balikatan 40-25 on April 21. They denounced it as expensive and of no benefit to Filipinos. They said this is a brazen violation of the country’s sovereignty.

In the nearly three-week Balikatan, the military presence and activities of the US and other foreign forces were recorded in Batanes, Cagayan, Zambales, Subic Bay, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Cavite, Palawan, Manila City, and Quezon City. Military maneuvers were also conducted in air and sea territories in the Philippine Sea and South China Sea.

The Balikatan military activities disrupted not only the peace in the communities but also the livelihoods of poor fisherfolk and farmers.

In Aparri, Cagayan, fishing was banned on May 3-4 for the Counter Landing Live Fire, disrupting up to 15,000 registered fisherfolk.

In Zambales, fishing was also banned on April 25-27 in the towns of San Antonio, San Narciso, San Felipe, Cabangan, Botolan, and Subic. This was again implemented on May 5-6.

Although Balikatan is only until May 9, American troops will remain for subsequent activities.