‘Balikatan a declaration of war preparations vs China’

MANILA, Philippines — The Balikatan exercises of the United States and the Philippine military are an “open declaration of the preparation of war with China,” a militant fisherfolk group said over the weekend.

In a statement, Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Saturday said the Philippine government is supposedly heightening the tensions in Taiwan with the Balikatan exercises.

“By accommodating the US troops and its bases despite this open declaration of preparation of war with China, the Marcos administration and its security officials are at the high risk of inflaming the tensions in Taiwan,” Pamalakaya national chairperson Ferdinand Hicap said.

“To believe that the Balikatan drills won’t incite any tensions or not be directed at anyone is just pure ignorance, if not unquestioning obedience to the US,” Hicap added.

The group reiterated that the military actions of the US Army in the Philippines threaten the sovereignty and security of Manila.

“We reaffirm that the US military actions in the Philippines are warmongering and provocative that could pose serious implications to our national sovereignty and security,” Hicap said.

The Balikatan exercises are expected to run until April 28.