Balikatan drills add to coastal hardship amid oil crisis

April 28, 2026

The government continues to expand military cooperation under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, pursuing deeper defense alignment with the US and foreign troop presence while failing to deliver urgent economic relief. This is reinforced by initiatives such as Pax Silica, positioned as an “economic security zone” to support US-linked supply chains. Together, these reflect a broader push to integrate the Philippines into US strategic and economic interests in the Indo-Pacific.

Escalating US militarism in PH: Are we drilling for war?

May 2, 2025

FEATURES

Despite its claims of seeking peace and protecting Philippine sovereignty against China’s self-assertion, the US reveals its true intentions by preparing for wars in pursuit of its interests.

IBON Executive Director on the ongoing US-Philippines Balikatan exercises

April 27, 2025

The Trump administration’s “American First” stance with us is textbook neocolonialism dressed up in the language of freedom and security

Biggest Balikatan exercises, US militarism worsens

April 26, 2025

The 2025 US-Philippines Balikatan is the largest ever, involving over 14,000 troops from the US, Philippines, Australia, Japan, and 16 observer countries. The drills are held strategically near Taiwan and the South China Sea as the US recalibrates its military and economic hegemony.

US drawing in more countries for its militarist agenda in Southeast Asia

May 26, 2024

The US’ military encirclement is one of its most heavy-handed ways to contain China’s expanding influence and to maintain its imperialist hegemony. The US is involving more and more countries to control more foreign armed forces, legitimize its military presence, and promote US arms sales. The militarism is portrayed as promoting stability and security but […]

US troops double to record high in Balikatan 2023

April 3, 2023

The number of US troops involved in the Baliktan 2023 military exercises has doubled compared to previous years. This is because the Philippines remains strategically important for the US’ geopolitical dominance in the Indo-Pacific – as a center of global trade and commerce and amid China aggression in the West Philippine Sea. But this will not necessarily benefit the Philippines as it becomes another base for US hegemony and militarism.