By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Parts of Subic waters and coastal areas off Zambales will be closed to fishing and civilian maritime traffic starting April 20 as the Philippines and the United States launch this year’s Balikatan joint military exercises, which will feature live-fire drills, the military and Philippine Coast Guard said.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines said maritime exclusion zones will be enforced in parts of Subic Bay and Zambales from April 20 to May 8 to ensure safety during live-fire and maritime strike exercises under Balikatan 2026.
The 41st iteration of the PH-US drills will be the “most expansive” to date, with over 17,000 troops from the Philippines, United States, Australia, Japan, Canada, France, and New Zealand participating. Another 17 nations will send observers.
“Balikatan is the embodiment of our nation’s commitment to a strong and credible defense posture,” said Maj. Gen. Francisco Lorenzo Jr., AFP Education and Training Command commander.
Philippine Coast Guard Commander Eufhraim Jason Diciano advised fisherfolk to avoid waters near the exercise sites while live-fire activities are ongoing. Notices to mariners were issued one month before the drills.
“For everyone’s safety, we ask our fishermen to avoid the exercise areas while live fire is ongoing. Exclusion zones will be strictly enforced,” Diciano said.
Ilocos Norte earlier directed coastal towns to keep residents from going to sea from March 10 to April 28, but the provincial government later said the drills would shift to Zambales.
Balikatan spokesperson Col. Michael Logico assured that no coastal residents will be displaced, though temporary bans on fishing will be implemented during live-fire events.
Fisherfolk group Pamalakaya, however, called the restrictions “unacceptable,” saying past Balikatan exercises led to total fishing bans in drill areas.
“Base sa karanasan natin, kapag may live fire, talagang totally pinagbabawalan na makapalaot ang mga mangingisda,” said Pamalakaya chair Fernando Hicap.
He warned that drills off western Luzon could expose fishers to further harassment from Chinese maritime forces in the South China Sea.
Japan Joins Combat Drills for First Time
Japan is deploying 1,400 personnel and aircraft for Balikatan 2026, its first combat participation since the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement took effect in September 2025.
Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo said the drills are “not targeted at any country” and aim for “peace and stability in the region”.
ia/xf
