For the first time, Japan successfully fired a Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missile in the Philippines during the latest Balikatan Exercise drill.

The missile sank the decommissioned Philippine Navy ship BRP Quezon, reported RH 52 Edniel Parrosa.

The live firing was carried out in Ilocos Norte and featured a coastline defense scenario against hostile forces approaching from the sea.

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro personally witnessed the Type 88 missile firing, arms that he said can be operated by allies in the future.

With the maritime strike exercise ongoing in the North, Commander-in-Chief President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was also watching the firing live from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Headquarters, Camp Aguinaldo.

Teodoro thanked Marcos for helping strengthen the military deterrence capabilities against national security threats.

This is the first instance wherein Japan directly took part in the Philippine War Games, which have been held for 41 years with the participation of the United States.

Japan joined the Balikatan Exercises under the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), an arrangement similar to the Philippines’ Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States.