00:00The Armed Forces of the Philippines has responded to China's warning regarding the Balikatan exercises.
00:06Meanwhile, the Department of National Defense welcomed Japan's decision to ease its regulations on exportation of defense equipment.
00:14Patrick DeSouz has the full report.
00:18China has issued a warning to the Philippines, the United States, and Japan.
00:24This follows the opening of the Balikatan exercises 2026.
00:28Considered the largest so far due to the expanded participation of other countries involving around 17,000 troops and lasting
00:37nearly three weeks.
00:38According to the spokesperson of China's foreign ministry, the Asia-Pacific needs peace rather than division and confrontation brought about
00:48by the entry of external forces.
00:50China added that such forms of cooperation may backfire.
00:55The armed forces of the Philippines responded that Balikatan is not directed against any particular country and the Philippines should
01:03not be blamed for any tension.
01:05They are defensive in nature, meaning to say all the projects under our program for modernization are designed to be
01:13able to secure and to protect what is rightfully and legally ours.
01:17We have no intent of claiming what is not ours.
01:21The constant war rhetoric of the Chinese Communist Party, their rapid military build-up, and their illegal presence, coercive-aggressive
01:30actions, and deceptive messaging have been the reasons for instability in the region.
01:34Despite this, the AFP said it will not be affected by China's criticisms.
01:41These are expected of them. What do we expect of them? They would applaud us. It's all part of the
01:46deceptive messaging.
01:47In fact, I would like to say that this will not be the end of the Balikatan series or other
01:52exercises, whether bilateral or multilateral.
01:55The Philippine Coast Guard is also ready for its participation in Balikatan.
02:00Magkakaroon po tayo ng iba't-ibang senaryo dito.
02:03Una-unta yung nabangkit po natin, yung humanitarian assistance disaster response operation,
02:10nasama po yung ating maritime law enforcement and search and rescue operations po.
02:14Previously, halos observer lang po ang nagiging role ng Philippine Coast Guard,
02:19but when we started ng year 2023, we became actively integrated in this Balikatan exercise.
02:24Meanwhile, the Department of National Defense welcomed Japan's east restrictions on arms exports
02:32following the review of its three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology.
02:38According to D&D Secretary Gibot Yodoro,
02:42the Philippines will benefit from improved access to high-quality defense equipment,
02:47helping strengthen deterrence as part of maintaining regional stability.
02:51This also reinforces a new era of strength and defense partnership between Japan and the Philippines,
02:58along with like-minded nations promoting shared rights under international law.
03:03Patrick Dezus from the National TV Network for a New and Better Philippines.
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