Comunicado de prensa

13 de mayo de 2025

Al cierre de las urnas en Filipinas, la Misión Internacional de Observación (IOM, por sus siglas en inglés), una delegación de defensores de los derechos humanos de todo el mundo, hizo públicas sus conclusiones iniciales, que alertan sobre la credibilidad de las elecciones de medio mandato de 2025.

La misión detectó una grave privación del derecho de voto debido al mal funcionamiento de las máquinas de recuento automático, informes de papeletas que se leen erróneamente como votos de más, anulando de hecho los votos válidos, y una preocupante e inexplicable actualización del software de las máquinas.

“No se trata sólo de fallos técnicos, sino de fallos que están privando del derecho de voto a miles de filipinos en un momento democrático crítico”, declaró el comisario Lee Rhiannon, ex senador australiano. “Nuestra metodología basada en los derechos ha revelado violaciones de los derechos civiles y políticos, incluido el derecho de voto, que se producen el día de las elecciones y en torno a él. Nuestra misión es documentar y amplificar lo que el pueblo filipino ya está denunciando valientemente.”

Los equipos de la OIM sobre el terreno han observado tendencias de privación del derecho al voto junto con su socio local Vote Report PH y Kontra Daya, señalando múltiples problemas verificados el día de las elecciones. Los equipos han documentado irregularidades en los centros de votación entrevistando a los encuestados que votaron en las respectivas zonas.

En Cordillera y Northern Mindanao, los equipos sobre el terreno observaron casos de compra de votos antes y durante las horas de votación. Se registraron problemas similares en la región de Bicol, donde, además de la compra de votos, hubo informes de papeletas pre-marcadas que afectaron a los votantes. En un centro electoral de Southern Tagalog, más de 900 personas hicieron cola para una sola máquina de recuento automático de votos (ACM, por sus siglas en inglés). Esto llevó a los votantes a esperar en la cola durante varias horas, con informes de personas que renunciaron a su derecho al voto.

Debido a la ausencia de ACM, se pidió a los votantes prioritarios de Negros que entregaran sus papeletas a los funcionarios electorales. En lugar de que los votantes depositaran y verificaran personalmente su voto, estas papeletas se colocaron dentro de una caja de cartón. Este caso fue documentado por observadores extranjeros, en el que los encuestados expresaron su preocupación sobre si sus votos habían sido contados y si se había producido alguna manipulación. En algunas circunscripciones de Zamboanga, los votantes se quejaron de no ver en los recibos el nombre de la lista del partido por el que habían votado.

Un patrón inquietante: violencia electoral

Más allá de los fallos en la tecnología de votación, la OIM ha observado una intensificación de la violencia relacionada con las elecciones y violaciones de los derechos. Los informes iniciales documentaron disturbios el día de las elecciones, ataques armados y múltiples víctimas mortales en las semanas previas al 12 de mayo.

Hasta el 12 de mayo, Vote Report PH, un organismo de control y socio de la OIM 2025, registró 1.445 incidentes de red-tagging, lo que lo convierte en la violación más frecuentemente denunciada en su monitoreo. Los observadores documentaron casos generalizados a lo largo de la campaña en regiones como Cordillera, Southern Tagalog, Southern Luzón, Negros y Mindanao. Los ataques se intensificaron el día de las elecciones, en el que siguieron circulando panfletos y carteles con red-tagging dirigido contra candidatos progresistas y listas de partidos.

«Hemos observado un patrón preocupante: escalada de violencia, red-tagging de candidatos y simpatizantes, y desinformación coordinada contra las voces progresistas», dijo Colleen Moore, Comisionada de la OIM y directora de Peace with Justice de la Junta General de Church and Society. “No se trata de incidentes aislados. Forman una atmósfera escalofriante que compromete la seguridad y la libertad de los votantes.”

El día de las elecciones se produjeron varios incidentes de violencia en todo el país.

A pesar de la prohibición de armas en todo el país, se registraron asesinatos y tiroteos en las provincias de Abra, Negros Occidental, Davao del Norte, Davao Occidental y Zamboanga del Sur. La Región Autónoma Bangsamoro del Mindanao Musulmán (BARMM) fue la más afectada, y todas sus provincias experimentaron diversos niveles de violencia.

Hubo desde peleas a puñetazos y disturbios entre partidarios de candidatos rivales hasta tiroteos con víctimas mortales. Uno de los peores tuvo lugar en Basilan, donde tres personas, entre ellas un observador electoral, murieron y otras dos resultaron heridas en un enfrentamiento en barco antes del amanecer cerca de la ciudad de Hadji Muhtamad, horas antes de la apertura de las urnas.

Mal funcionamiento de las máquinas, actualización anómala del software

Todos los observadores internacionales desplegados por el país han observado casos generalizados de mal funcionamiento de las ACM, lo que ha provocado retrasos en la votación. Los medios de comunicación también han informado de fallos en las máquinas en toda Filipinas. La magnitud y el alcance de los incidentes apuntan probablemente a miles de votantes afectados en todo el país.

La Misión también ha indicado que recomendará una investigación de los ACM inexplicables que utilizan la versión 3.5.0 del software, en lugar de la versión 3.4.0 certificada públicamente. “Estamos colaborando con nuestros socios en Filipinas para investigar esta irregularidad”, añadió Moore.

Informe final en dos semanas

“Aunque estas conclusiones siguen siendo iniciales, nuestra misión expresa su profunda preocupación por las condiciones en las que se celebraron las elecciones intermedias de 2025”, afirma Rhiannon.

“La convergencia de violencia política, privación generalizada del derecho de voto, acoso e irregularidades técnicas inexplicables apuntan a vulnerabilidades sistémicas que corren el riesgo de socavar la confianza pública en el proceso electoral.”

Según los Comisarios, la OIM seguirá verificando y analizando las tendencias a partir de los datos y estudios de casos que han recopilado. En el plazo de dos semanas se publicará un informe final en el que se detallarán sus observaciones y se ofrecerán recomendaciones basadas en su enfoque de los derechos humanos. #

Communiqué – 13 mai 2025

À la fermeture des bureaux de vote aux Philippines, la Mission internationale d’observation (OIM), une délégation de défenseurs des droits humains du monde entier, a publié les premières conclusions qui soulèvent des défaillances graves quant à la crédibilité des élections de mi-mandat de 2025.

La mission a signalé une grave privation du droit de vote des électeurs en raison de dysfonctionnements des machines de comptage automatisées (ACM), des rapports selon lesquels des bulletins de vote ont été interprétés à tort comme des votes excédentaires, annulant ainsi des votes valides, et une mise à jour logicielle troublante et inexpliquée sur les machines.

« Il ne s’agit pas seulement de problèmes techniques, nous assistons à des manquements qui privent des milliers de Philippins de leurs droits, à un moment démocratique critique », a déclaré le commissaire Lee Rhiannon, ancien sénateur australien. « Notre méthodologie d’observation fondée sur le respect des droits fondamentaux a révélé des violations des droits civils et politiques, y compris le droit de vote, qui se sont produites le jour même du scrutin et les jours précédents. Notre mission a pour objectif de documenter et de faire écho à ce que le peuple philippin appelle déjà courageusement de ses vœux.

Les équipes de l’OIM sur le terrain ont observé une tendance à faire obstacle au droit de vote, aux côtés de leur partenaire local Vote Report PH et Kontra Daya, signalant de multiples incidents vérifiés le jour du scrutin. Les équipes ont documenté les irrégularités dans les bureaux de vote en interrogeant les électeurs ayant voté dans ces zones respectives.

Dans la Cordillère et le nord de Mindanao, les équipes sur le terrain ont observé des cas d’achat de voix avant et pendant les heures de vote. Des problèmes similaires ont été signalés dans la région de Bicol, où, en plus de l’achat de votes, des bulletins de vote pré-marqués ont été fournis aux électeurs. Dans un centre de vote de la région de Southern Tagalog, plus de 900 personnes ont fait la queue pour une seule ACM. Cela a conduit les électeurs à faire la queue pendant plusieurs heures, avec des rapports selon lesquels des individus ont renoncé à leur droit de vote.

En raison de l’absence d’ACM, les électeurs prioritaires de la région de Negros ont été invités à remettre leur bulletin de vote directement aux agents électoraux. Ces électeurs n’ont pas pu vérifier personnellement le traitement de leur vote, et ces bulletins ont été placés dans une boîte en carton. Ce cas a été documenté par des observateurs étrangers, auxquels les électeurs ont exprimé des inquiétudes quant à savoir si leurs votes avaient été comptés et s’il y avait eu fraude. Dans certains bureaux de vote de Zamboanga, les électeurs se sont plaints de ne pas voir le nom de la liste du parti pour laquelle ils avaient voté sur les reçus.

Une tendance inquiétante : la violence électorale

Au-delà des défaillances technologique, l’OIM a noté une intensification de la violence liée aux élections et des violations des droits. Les premiers rapports ont documenté des émeutes le jour des élections, des attaques à main armée et de nombreux décès dans les semaines précédant le 12 mai.

Au 12 mai, Vote Report PH, un organisme de surveillance et partenaire de l’OIM 2025, a enregistré 1 445 incidents de red-tagging, ce qui en fait la violation la plus fréquemment signalée dans le cadre de sa mission de monitoring. Les observateurs ont documenté des cas généralisés tout au long de la période de campagne dans des régions telles que la Cordillera, Southern Tagalog, Southern Luzon, Negros et dans toute la province de Mindanao. Les attaques se sont intensifiées le jour du scrutin, des tracts et des affiches de red-tagging ciblant les candidats progressistes et les listes de partis continuant de circuler.

« Nous avons observé une tendance inquiétante : une escalade de la violence, le red-tagging des candidats et des partisans, et la désinformation coordonnée contre les voix progressistes », a déclaré la commissaire de l’OIM, Colleen Moore, directrice de Peace with Justice au Conseil général de Church and Society. Il ne s’agit pas d’incidents isolés. Ils créent une atmosphère glaciale qui compromet la sécurité et la liberté des électeurs.

Le jour de l’élection, plusieurs incidents violents se sont produits dans tout le pays. Malgré l’interdiction des armes à feu à l’échelle nationale, des meurtres et des fusillades ont été signalés dans les provinces d’Abra, de Negros Occidental, de Davao del Norte, de Davao Occidental et de Zamboanga del Sur. La région autonome de Bangsamoro du Mindanao musulman (BARMM) a été la plus touchée, toutes ses provinces connaissant des niveaux de violence variables.

Il s’agit de bagarres à coups de poing et d’émeutes entre partisans de candidats rivaux, de fusillades provoquant des victimes mortelles. L’un des pires incidents s’est produit à Basilan, où trois personnes, dont un observateur su scrutin, ont été tuées et deux autres blessées lors d’un affrontement en bateau avant l’aube près de la ville de Hadji Muhtamad, quelques heures avant l’ouverture des bureaux de vote.

Dysfonctionnements des machines, mise à jour logicielle anormale

Tous les observateurs internationaux déployés à travers le pays ont observé de nombreux cas de dysfonctionnements des ACM, entraînant des retards dans le vote. Les médias ont également fait état de problèmes avec les machines à travers tout le territoire. L’ampleur et la portée des incidents indiquent probablement que des milliers d’électeurs ont été touchés dans tout le pays.

La mission a également indiqué qu’elle recommanderait une enquête sur les mises à jour inexpliquées des ACM fonctionnant avec la version 3.5.0 du logiciel, plutôt que sur la version 3.4.0 certifiée. « Nous collaborons avec nos partenaires aux Philippines pour enquêter sur cette irrégularité », a ajouté M. Moore.

Rapport final dans deux semaines

« Bien que ces conclusions restent préliminaires, notre mission exprime une profonde inquiétude quant aux conditions dans lesquelles se sont déroulées les élections de mi-mandat de 2025 », a déclaré Rhiannon. « La convergence de la violence politique, de la privation généralisée du droit de vote, du harcèlement et des irrégularités techniques inexpliquées met en évidence des vulnérabilités systémiques qui risquent de miner la confiance du public dans le processus électoral. »

Selon les commissaires, l’OIM continuera de vérifier et d’analyser les tendances à partir des données et des études de cas qu’elle a recueillies. Un rapport final détaillant ses observations et proposant des recommandations fondées sur son approche en matière de droits humains sera publié dans les deux semaines. #

News Release
May 13, 2025

As polls closed in the Philippines, the International Observer Mission (IOM), a delegation of human rights advocates from across the globe, released initial findings that raise urgent red flags over the credibility of the 2025 midterm elections. 

The mission flagged severe voter disenfranchisement due to malfunctioning automated counting machines (ACMs), reports of ballots being wrongly read as overvotes, effectively nullifying valid votes, and a troubling, unexplained software update on the machines. 

“These aren’t just technical glitches, we are seeing failures that are disenfranchising thousands of Filipinos at a critical democratic moment,” said Commissioner Lee Rhiannon, a former Australian Senator. “Our rights-based methodology has revealed violations of civil and political rights, including the right to vote, occurring on and around election day. Our mission is to document and to amplify what the Filipino people are already bravely calling out.”

IOM on-ground teams have observed trends of disenfranchisement alongside local partner Vote Report PH and Kontra Daya, flagging multiple verified issues on election day. The teams have documented irregularities in the polling centers by interviewing respondents who voted in respective areas. 

In Cordillera and Northern Mindanao, ground teams monitored instances of vote-buying before and during polling hours. Similar issues were reported in the Bicol region, where, in addition to vote-buying, there were reports of pre-shaded ballots that affected voters. At one polling center in Southern Tagalog, more than 900 people lined up for only one ACM. This led to voters waiting in line for several hours, with reports of individuals giving up their right to vote.

Due to the absence of ACMs, priority voters in Negros were asked to hand their ballots to polling officers. Instead of voters personally casting and verifying their vote, these ballots were placed inside a cardboard box. This case was documented by foreign observers, where respondents expressed concerns about whether their votes were counted and if any tampering occurred. In some precincts in Zamboanga, voters complained of not seeing the name of the partylist they voted for in the receipts.

A disturbing pattern: electoral violence

Beyond the failures in the voting technology, the IOM has noted an intensification of election-related violence and rights violations. Initial reports documented election-day riots, armed attacks, and multiple fatalities in the weeks leading up to May 12.

As of May 12, Vote Report PH, a watchdog and partner of the 2025 IOM, recorded 1,445 incidents of red-tagging, making it the most frequently reported violation in their monitoring. Observers documented widespread cases throughout the campaign period in regions such as Cordillera, Southern Tagalog, Southern Luzon, Negros, and across Mindanao. The attacks intensified on election day, with red-tagging flyers and posters targeting progressive candidates and partylists still being circulated.

“We’ve observed a disturbing pattern: escalating violence, red-tagging of candidates and supporters, and coordinated disinformation against progressive voices,” said IOM Commissioner Colleen Moore, Director of Peace with Justice at the General Board of Church and Society. “These are not isolated incidents. They form a chilling atmosphere that compromises the safety and freedom of voters.” 

On election day, several incidents of violence occurred across the country. Despite a nationwide gun ban, killings and shootings were reported in the provinces of Abra, Negros Occidental, Davao del Norte, Davao Occidental and Zamboanga del Sur. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was hit the most, with all of its provinces experiencing varying levels of violence.

It ranged from fist fights and riots between supporters of rival candidates to gunfights and shootings resulting in killings. Among the worst of these occurred in Basilan, where three people, including a poll watcher, were killed and two others wounded in a predawn boat clash near Hadji Muhtamad town, hours before the polls opened.

Machine malfunctions, anomalous software update

All international observers deployed across the country monitored widespread cases of malfunctioning ACMs, causing delays in voting. News outlets have also reported on machine glitches across the Philippines. The sheer magnitude and scope of the incidents likely point to thousands of voters affected nationwide.

The Mission also indicated that it will recommend an investigation of the unexplained ACMs running version 3.5.0 software, rather than the publicly certified version 3.4.0. “We are collaborating with our partners in the Philippines to look into this irregularity,” Moore added.

Final report in two weeks

“While these findings remain initial, our mission expresses deep concern over the conditions under which the 2025 midterm elections were held,” says Rhiannon. “The convergence of political violence, widespread disenfranchisement, harassment, and unexplained technical irregularities point to systemic vulnerabilities that risk undermining public trust in the electoral process.”

According to the Commissioners, the IOM will continue to verify and analyze trends from the data and case studies they have collected. A final report detailing its observations and offering recommendations grounded in its human rights approach will be released within two weeks.#

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ICHRP is conducting an International Observer Mission in 2025 to monitor for election-related and human rights violations. Learn more at https://www.ichrp.net/IOM2025

“We stand with Filipinos in their pursuit of free, honest, and fair elections”

News Release
May 12, 2025

As polls open today in the Philippines, the International Observer Mission (IOM) expresses its collective hope for a peaceful election. With over 68 million registered voters expected to cast their ballots, we stand in solidarity with the Filipino people in their pursuit of free, honest, and fair elections. 

While we remain hopeful, we cannot overlook the serious concerns witnessed by our international observers in recent weeks. These are concerns that echo the patterns of past elections. Early reports point to an uptick in electoral violence, widespread vote buying, and the continued harassment of opposition candidates, community leaders, and journalists.

“As we continue to accompany the Filipino people, our observers are inspired, not only by the level of political participation in the country but also by the strong desire for genuine change. Filipinos deserve to vote free from fear, fraud, or force,” said IOM Commissioner Colleen Moore. “We call on the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to remain vigilant in the critical hours ahead, especially in areas historically vulnerable to violence and fraud.”

Our first IOM documented grave human rights violations in the 2022 national elections, including political killings, abductions, red-tagging, intimidation, and systemic disinformation. These patterns of violence and impunity are often linked to entrenched political dynasties. Their private armed groups pose a serious threat to the integrity of democratic processes.

In 2025, as in previous elections, the IOM’s concern is that violence would occur. Data compiled by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project showed that in 79 percent of violent acts targeting local government members between 2018 and 2022, the perpetrators were never identified.

“The eyes of the international community are on the Philippines with our mission founded on solidarity,” Commissioner Moore affirms. “We believe in the power of the Filipino people to protect their vote. Our mission is here to bear witness and to help ensure that violations do not go unseen or unreported.” 

The IOM will release its report within two weeks after election day. It will contain data and evidence of our findings on electoral and human rights violations from the documentation by ground teams deployed in election hotspots across the country. 

The IOM will also provide relevant recommendations based on the findings of the mission, and will submit the report to the Commission on Elections, international human rights institutions, relevant United Nations bodies, civil society, and the media community. 

In these final hours, the Mission and its trained observers remain steadfast in their commitment to monitor, document, and report on-the-ground developments with independence and integrity. We stand in solidarity with the Filipino people in their aspiration for a peaceful election: one where the sanctity of the vote is upheld, and the rights of all citizens are protected, not only on this day, but also in their continuing pursuit of democracy.#

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ICHRP is conducting an International Observer Mission in 2025 to monitor for election-related and human rights violations. Learn more at https://www.ichrp.net/IOM2025

Report of the International Observer Mission (IOM) for the 2025 Philippine Elections

Read the full report in PDF form here

From April 21 to May 9 this year, the Balikatan exercises took place in the Philippines. As part of the annual exercises, about 9,000 US troops staged live firing exercises alongside 5,000 Filipino troops, a smaller contingent of Australian troops, and a Japanese Navy frigate in Mindanao, Palawan, Zambales and Batanes. The exercises largely overlapped with the 2025 Philippine Midterm Election campaign.

The US and Filipino commanders of Balikatan bluntly described the exercises as a “full battle test.” Participating militaries used the most advanced US anti-ship missile, anti-drone, and anti-aircraft systems, and carried out drills facing the West Philippine Sea and Taiwan. Balikatan is preparation for a US war with China, and was carried out across the domains of land, sea, air and cyberspace, involving all services and forces. US Marine Corps Forces Pacific Commander Lt. Gen. James Glynn said that Balikatan is a signature exercise in maintaining a “free and open Indo-Pacific”.

These war games have the explicit approval of Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration, which has positioned itself as a close ally of the Trump administration. However, anti-war and patriotic movements in the country have opposed these exercises. On April 21, the opening day of Balikatan, the national patriotic alliance Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) organised a protest at the US Embassy in Manila. On April 26, 2025, progressive groups gathered at Freedom Park in Davao City to oppose the Balikatan 2025 exercises and US military bases. 

While the exercises have severe local impacts, they are portrayed positively in mainstream and social media, conveying an inaccurate picture that the Philippines is facing a national emergency because of a threat of invasion by China. Voters are told that the presence of the US is necessary to defend their interests, which provides justification for choosing the candidates of President Marcos Jr’s Alliance for a New Philippines (APBP). Critics of Balikatan or advocates for a truly independent Philippine foreign policy are accused of being stooges for Beijing. This leads to a massive distortion of the election atmosphere.

On April 25, 2025, Senator Francis Tolentino alleged that the Chinese Embassy paid a local marketing firm 930,000 Php (US$16,800) to criticise the Balikatan exercises. National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya stated, “You will see narratives coming from Beijing that the Balikatan exercises are a threat to regional peace and stability, and you will also see that coming from local proxies.” Tolentino, Malaya and APBP are blind to the threat to Philippine sovereignty that results from the Balikatan exercises and presence of thousands of foreign troops in the country.

Liza Maza, a Makabayan senatorial candidate, said that the cost of food and low wages dominated the current election, but that the pressure from China in the West Philippine Sea is a significant secondary issue. Because of the sharp competition between the Marcos and Duterte families, the US will favor Marcos Jr. over the Dutertes. “The US-Marcos Jr. narrative is that China is out to invade the Philippines and so the Philippines should stay close to the US.”

“The Makabayan campaign asserts independence and national sovereignty. We need to stand on our own to secure our country because the US is trying to control the Asia-Pacific region and use the Philippines as a major military base. We support a diplomatic resolution of conflict in the West Philippine Sea, not the military solution favoured by the US.”

BAYAN spokesperson Mong Palatino said on May 6: “The probe on China’s espionage and interference activities should expose those who colluded with Beijing in negating the Philippine claim in the West Philippine Sea and manipulating public opinion during the election campaign.”

“But the probe should be widened to look into the more insidious legacy of US interference in the local elections and politics. Historically, it is the US which has the most brazen record in subverting our sovereignty and normalizing its intervention in Philippine politics.”

Professor Roland Simbulan, Chairperson of the Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG) called on Marcos Jr. to reject lopsided defense agreements with the United States and pursue a truly independent foreign policy that prioritizes national sovereignty and regional peace. “The Philippines must not allow itself to be a pawn in great power rivalries. CenPEG urges the Filipino people to critically examine the long-term consequences of foreign military entanglements on national security, sovereignty, and regional stability,” said Prof. Simbulan.

The concurrent staging of the Balikatan military exercises and the Philippine midterm election campaign raises serious concerns about the integrity of democratic processes under conditions of heightened militarization and foreign intervention. While Marcos-aligned candidates peddle the narrative that it is a strategic defense posture against regional threats, the presence of thousands of foreign troops, combined with live-fire drills and counterinsurgency operations, have tangible consequences for civic space, electoral discourse, and local livelihoods. 

The dominance of pro-military narratives in mainstream, government, and military channels, which often portray dissenting voices as hostile or China-aligned, is alarming. This manufactures consent for heightened militarization and foreign intervention, drowning out critical voices or those who call for an independent, truly Filipino foreign policy.

From the perspective of international election observation, the normalization of such exercises during a critical electoral period distorts the conditions necessary for a free, fair, and independent elections.

The Balikatan’s Impacts on Local Communities

3-day Fishing Ban in Zambales

The fisherfolk organisation, Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), condemned the 3-day no-sail zone policy which the US and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) imposed in Zambales early in the Balikatan program. With just 24 hours notice, fisherfolk in the towns of San Antonio, San Narciso, San Felipe, Cabangan, Botolan, and Subic were prohibited from going out to sea from April 25 to April 27. Rough weather after April 27 meant more days without income. Ronnel Arambulo, Pamalakaya Vice-Chair, said that April to June is peak fishing season for Zambales fisherfolk. “This is when the sea is most generous. Halting fishing now is a direct blow to our communities.”

US troops join AFP counterinsurgency operations outside Balikatan

In the first week of April 2025, prior to Balikatan commencing, reports from the ground confirmed that US troops joined AFP units in “clearing operations in Sitio Singawan, Brgy Umiray in Dingalan, Aurora, and on to General Tinio in Nueva Ecija. The Armed Forces of the Philippines validated the presence of foreign troops, along with DVIDS, a news portal reporting on US forces deployed globally, regarding joint logistics operations in Dingalan, Aurora, on April 7, 2025.

Farmers were prohibited from working on their fields. During Balikatan itself, US troops were sighted by local civilians joining with AFP units in counterinsurgency patrols in the towns of Lopez, Gumaea, Macelelon, General Luna and Catanauan in Quezon province. 

US Military operations in Mindanao

On March 31, several weeks prior to the Balikatan exercises, US and Philippine marines launched Marine Exercise 2025 in Maguindanao del Norte, Mindanao. The 480 troops focused on small-unit tactics and a final “full mission profile” simulating combat conditions, according to a Philippine army statement on April 1, 2025. Activities included jungle warfare, coastal defense and amphibious operations.