AFP Confirms Tomahawk Missile Launch During Joint Balikatan Drills

Posted on May 6, 2026 at 7:14 am

TACLOBAN CITY — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed on Tuesday, May 5, the successful completion of a live-fire exercise involving an inert Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM), marking a significant milestone in this year’s Exercise Balikatan 41-2026.

According to the AFP, the missile was launched at approximately 12:20 a.m. from a secured, military-controlled section on the western end of the runway at Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban City. The area had been temporarily designated to support operational requirements for the joint military drills, in close coordination with civil aviation authorities.

The TLAM, configured with a non-explosive or inert payload, successfully reached its designated target within the Combat Readiness Training Area in Laur, Nueva Ecija, at around 1:33 a.m. The impact zone lies within Fort Magsaysay, a long-established military reservation regularly used for live-fire and combat training exercises.

The AFP emphasized that the operation was meticulously planned and carried out under strict safety protocols. Coordination with relevant national agencies and local government units was undertaken to ensure public safety and minimize any potential disruptions.

In a statement, the AFP underscored that “comprehensive risk assessments, enforced exclusion zones, and stringent airspace and maritime controls were implemented throughout the exercise,” adding that civilian communities were not placed at risk at any point.

The Tomahawk launch represents one of the more advanced components of this year’s Balikatan exercises, highlighting enhanced interoperability and evolving defense capabilities among participating forces.