China calls out Japan over firing of Type 88 missiles in PH

Beijing criticized Tokyo over reports that Japan's Type 88 missiles were fired for the first time during the recently concluded 2026 Balikatan military exercise in the Philippines.

"This is yet another example of the Japanese right-wing forces' push for accelerated remilitarization of Japan," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said in a press conference Wednesday.

"They have repeatedly breached Japan's exclusively defense-oriented policy and relevant rules in international and domestic laws. Some of their policies and moves have gone far beyond the scope of self-defense," he added.

Lin also referenced the Japanese Occupation of the Philippines during World War II, noting that Japan must atone for its past atrocities.

"Japan once invaded and imposed colonial rule over the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries, and thus shoulder grave historical responsibilities... Japan, the aggressor, failed to deeply reflect on its historical crimes, it has even sent military forces overseas and fired offensive missiles under the pretext of security cooperation," Lin added.

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force deployed the Type 88 missile system in the Paoay Sand Dunes in Ilocos Norte as part of a maritime strike mission.

The Type 88 surface-to-ship missile (SSM-1) is a truck-mounted anti-ship missile developed by Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in the late 1980s.

The missiles struck its target 70 kilometers off the coast, the ex-BRP Quezon, a World War II-era minesweeper.

A day ahead of the Type 88 missile firing, the United States Army launched a Tomahawk cruise missile from Leyte that hit a target in Nueva Ecija hundreds of kilometers away.

The Philippines has sought closer ties and stronger military cooperation with its allies, including the United States and Japan, in the face of its territorial dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea.

"We urge the Japanese side to deeply reflect on its history of militarist aggression, and honor its commitments and stay prudent in military and security areas," Lin said.

GMA News Online has sought comment from the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines but it has yet to respond as of posting time.

'Improper references to history'

Meanwhile, the Philippines on Friday pushed back against China's rebuke of Japan's missile firing during the Balikatan

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said China has no standing to question the exercise and should instead focus on its own actions in the region.

Teodoro also questioned China's credibility on regional stability issues, pointing to its own actions in disputed waters.

"Nakakapagtaka na galing sa China iyon na diktadurya na ang militar nila, panunupil ng kanilang mismong mga tao. Tapos, gagamit sila ng improper references to history na tinatago naman nila ang kanilang ginagawa," he said in ambush interview after the closing ceremony of Balikatan.

(It's amazing that it came from China—their military is a dictatorship and it suppresses its own people. Then, they will use improper references to history to hide what they are doing.)

"Ano'ng pakialam nila? Pakialaman nila sarili nilang bakuran," he added.

(It is none of their business. They should focus on their own backyard.)

— VDV, GMA News