Tacloban Airport Becomes Launch Site For US Missile Exercise
US MISSILE – Tensions rose after a US missile system was used for the first time on Philippine soil during Balikatan 2026.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has confirmed that a missile was launched by the United States’ Typhon Mid-Range Capability (MRC) system for the first time since it arrived in the Philippines in April 2024. The development marks a significant milestone in the ongoing Balikatan 2026, a large-scale joint military exercise between the Philippines and the United States.
The drills, designed to strengthen regional security, involve coordinated operations across air, sea, land, and cyberspace domains. According to a report by ABS-CBN News on Tuesday, May 5, the missile launch took place at Tacloban Airport in Leyte earlier that day.
Balikatan 2026 spokesperson Colonel Dennis Hernandez confirmed that the United States deployed a Tomahawk missile using the Typhon system during the exercise. “The weapon system that we used was the Typhon, a medium-range capable missile, armed with a Tomahawk missile designed to attack land-based targets at ranges of around 805 to 1,500 kilometers,” said Hernandez.
Despite the launch, Hernandez clarified that the missile carried no explosive payload and was used solely for testing and measurement purposes. He emphasized that the activity aimed to assess the system’s impact rather than simulate a live strike.
Hernandez said, “This is the first time that the Typhon MRC has been fired here in the Philippines.. However, the munition is inert—wala siyang high explosive. Impact lang ang mini-measure natin.”
However, the move drew criticism from the Koalisyong Makabayan, a progressive coalition in the Philippines. The group raised concerns over the implications of such military activities on national sovereignty and public safety.
“Under the Balikatan war games, the entire Philippines becomes a playground for imperialist interests while the safety of Filipinos is compromised.” “These Tomahawk missiles are the same weapons being used to bomb civilian infrastructure and kill civilians in Iran and Gaza,” it added.
In response, Makabayan called for the immediate halt of the Balikatan exercises and urged authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the missile launch, citing potential risks and broader geopolitical concerns.
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