Senator Francis Kiko Pangilinan on Thursday, 1 January, condemned the two-day military drills conducted by China around Taiwan.
In a statement, Pangilinan said the drills “have brought ill will” not only to the people of Taiwan but also to Filipinos working, living, and spending the holidays there, as well as to peoples across East and Southeast Asia.
"Peace on earth cannot be built on threats of invasion, expanding foreign basing, or war games. Peace on earth can only be built on our individual and collective right to self-determination, free from bullying or annexation by any power—whether Chinese or American," Pangilinan said.
"We all share this one planet, and our shared future depends not on missiles nor alliances of convenience, but on our individual and collective cooperation for social justice, climate action, and democratic rights. Let’s all steer the Fire Horse of 2026 into progress, not ruin," he added.
China launched sea and air military drills around Taiwan, which it claims as its own.
The exercises marked the sixth set of drills conducted in Taiwan’s vicinity since 2022, heightening fears that an invasion could occur in the coming years.
The drills—China’s largest by area and closest yet to Taiwan—forced the island to cancel dozens of domestic commercial flights and deploy military jets and warships to monitor the exercises.
The maneuvers began 11 days after the United States announced a record $11.1 billion arms package for Taiwan. China’s military said for the first time that the drills were aimed at deterring outside intervention.
Meanwhile, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Thursday that the island is determined to defend its sovereignty and strengthen its defenses amid China’s growing assertiveness.