09/05/2026
KABATAAN: US Tomahawk 'child killer' missile launch in Tacloban continued threat to civilian safety, Philippine sovereignty
On May 5, during the ongoing Balikatan 2026 exercises, the United States of America fired a Tomahawk Missile using the Typhon Mid-Range Capability (MRC) Missile System from Tacloban Airport to Laur, Nueva Ecija — a distance of 600 kilometers. Since the Typhon's deployment to the Philippines in 2024 for the Salaknib exercises, defense officials have claimed that its deployment in the Philippines is for enhancing the defense capabilities of the country and is aligned with the country's security interests.
Notably, the Tomahawk Missile was responsible for the deaths of 156 individuals, 120 of whom were students, in Minab, Iran, last February.
House Assistant Minority Leader and Kabataan Rep. Atty. Renee Co condemned the firing of the missile, "Child-killer ang missile na ito ng US sa West Asia o Middle East, at ngayon, gagawin pang launching pad ang Pilipinas at idadamay tayo sa kanilang pandaigdigang giyera para manindak, magsimula ng gulo para sa kanilang pansariling interes, at manatiling hari ng mundo."
"Bawal sa US federal law ang paggamit ng mga missile launcher malapit sa civilian population, kaya ginagawa nila dito sa Pilipinas. Excuse na lang nila na may safety officers ang exercises para pagbigyan ang amo nilang US," Rep. Co emphasized.
Additionally, Japan's Self-Defense Force (SDF) also participated in Balikatan 2026, launching a Type 88 surface-to-ship missile as part of their live-fire drills. Due to Japan's peace constitution and the lack of any restrictions in the Philippines, they chose to perform these drills here.
"Ginagawa nilang firing range ang Pilipinas. 'Defense interoperability' ang bagong termino ng US para sa warmongering nila sa Asia-Pacific. Sa gitna ng tumitinding tensyon na sinisimulan ng US sa buong mundo, patuloy pa rin silang binibigyan ng free pass ng gobyernong Marcos Jr. Binibenta nila ang soberanya at kaluluwa ng Inang Bayan para sa katiting na atensyon mula sa nangungunang imperyalistang bayan," Rep. Co added.
“Hindi proteksyon ang dala ng mga pasabog at tropang dayuhan sa bansa natin, kundi panganib. Hindi papayag ang kabataan na idadamay ang mamamayang Pilipino sa panggigiyera ng US. Tuloy ang panawagan ng kabataan para maibasura ang mga di-pantay na kasunduan, mabuwag ang mga baseng militar ng US sa Pilipinas, at tunay na mapalaya ang bansa natin,” Rep. Co ended. # # #
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