Balikatan Exercise: PH, US forces train vs drones

Philippine and United States forces conducted a live-fire exercise and trained in bringing down drones during the 2026 Balikatan Exercise in San Antonio, Zambales, amid ongoing tension in the West Philippine Sea.

According to Jun Veneracion’s Tuesday report on “24 Oras,” the US military fired some short-range missiles, while the US Army’s  Avenger Air Defense System fired Stinger missiles towards the direction of the West Philippine Sea and hit a training drone.

A missile fired by the Americans' Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) hit a Banshee drone that was flying at 9,000 feet.

Filipino and US forces also used machine guns to target small drones.

“It is important for us in order for us to enhance our interoperability with regards in fighting or defending our air space,” said Major Richmon Jan Cayabyab of the Philippine Air Force.

“The Balikatan is not intended to provoke or addressed to any particular country. Karapatan ng lahat ng bansa na maging handa sa lahat ng bagay lalo na sa threat sa ating national security,” said Major Xerxes Trinidad, Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs chief.

(The Balikatan is not intended to provoke or be addressed to any particular country. Every country has the right to be ready for any circumstances, especially to threats to national security.)

The four-day live-fire drills are intended to enhance the capabilities of Philippine and US forces in air defense, especially at a time when the threat of drone warfare is growing.

“These are modern threats, these are strategies that we must consider kaya makikita natin dyan drone operations (so we see drone operations) and how to counter them,” Trinidad said.

The air defense drill in San Antonio will continue until Wednesday, but other military activities will be conducted in other parts of the country until May 8.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA News