CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), alongside the United States Armed Forces and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), conducted a Maritime Strike (MARSTRIKE) on May 6 at Culili Point, Paoay, Ilocos Norte, as part of Exercise Balikatan 41-2026, demonstrating strengthened multi-domain operational capability among ally and partner forces.
The decommissioned Philippine Navy vessel BRP Quezon (PS70) served as the designated target and was successfully engaged by the JGSDF’s Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missile System—the first time the platform has been utilized in the history of Exercise Balikatan—demonstrating the effectiveness of synchronized precision strike capabilities against maritime threats.
AFP assets deployed included BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG6), BRP Antonio Luna (FFG15), FA-50 fighter aircraft, and A-29 Super Tucano aircraft. U.S. forces reinforced the operation with P-8A Poseidon aircraft, MQ-9 systems, HIMARS, NMESIS, and K-1000, while Canada contributed HMCS Charlottetown (FFH-339). Japan also provided additional ISR support through its ScanEagle unmanned aerial system.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., together with AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo S. Brawner Jr., and U.S. Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Y. Robert Ewing monitored the exercise from the Camp Aguinaldo Command and Control Center. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., alongside Japan Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Ambassador Kazuhiko Endo, witnessed the activity at the training area. 18 International Observers further strengthened the defense cooperation among nations.
“The successful execution of the Maritime Strike activity demonstrates the growing level of interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and our allies. Through coordinated planning, information-sharing, and precision engagement, we were able to effectively integrate maritime, air, and ground capabilities in a complex operational environment,” said Col. Dennis Hernandez, AFP Balikatan spokesperson. He added that the activity strengthens collective maritime security and supports a stable, rules-based Indo-Pacific region.
Photo and video by SSg Ambay PA, Cpl Esteban PN(M), A1C Castro PAF, Ms. Dalsi Almazan / PAOAFP
