Filipinos Rally Against 'Balikatan' Joint Military Drills in Manila
Amid rising fuel costs and domestic economic tension, Filipino protesters staged a demonstration outside the Armed Forces of the Philippines headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo in Manila. The rally denounced the kickoff of the annual 'Balikatan' exercises, a massive joint military drill involving over 17,000 troops from the U.S., Philippines, and other allied nations. Activists carried placards warning against the rising militarization of the region.
Date: April 20, 2026
Location: Metro Manila, Philippines
Conflict: None
Category: protest
Severity: MEDIUM
Source: Xinhua