FACT CHECK: No reports of ‘thousands’ of US military equipment arriving in PH

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Most of the clips used in the video were repurposed footage from previous US military activities outside the Philippines

Claim: The United States has deployed thousands of military vehicles and equipment to Subic Bay.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The YouTube video was posted by the account “America’s Navy,” which has over 12,700 followers, on April 20. It has garnered over 1 million views and 9,800 likes at the time of writing.

Its title reads: “CHINA SHOCKED! Thousands of US Military Vehicles and Equipment Arrive in Philippines.”

The first part of the video shows an alleged news headline about the arrival of US military vehicles and equipment in the Philippines, followed by clips of supposed artillery and an arsenal of military vehicles allegedly owned by the US.

The video’s narrator says that the deployment of military equipment and vehicles to the Philippines was part of the US goal to strengthen military defense in the Pacific against China.

The facts: There are no verified reports of “thousands” of military equipment and vehicles arriving in Subic Bay on April 20, the date the YouTube video was published.

According to an April 17 article from the US Indo-Pacific Command, around 600 — not thousands — of warfighting equipment and supplies were set to be distributed in preparation for Balikatan 2025. Blount Island Command, which provides logistical support for the US Marine Corps, arrived in the Philippines in mid-March ahead of the flagship bilateral war games between the Philippines and the US.

Moreover, the equipment was delivered to Dingalan Bay in Aurora, not Subic Bay, as alleged.

Contrary to the claim, these supplies and equipment were designated for the Balikatan exercises, not as donations to the Philippines or as a strategic move to deter China’s military presence.

Updates between April 11 and April 26 on the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ official Facebook page and the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service of the US Navy show no indication or statement that the delivery of military equipment was specifically intended to counter China.

Balikatan drills: The 2025 Balikatan drills began on April 21 and will conclude on May 9. The event is an annual military exercise conducted by the AFP and the US Army as part of the ongoing defense partnership between the two countries.

This year, an estimated 16 nations are expected to participate, including Japan, which is joining the drills for the first time. (IN PHOTOS: Balikatan 2025 in Zambales)

Repurposed video clips: Most of the clips used in the misleading video were repurposed footage from previous US military activities. 

One specific section of the video (0:38 – 0:42) features artillery and vehicles allegedly arriving in the Philippines. However, reverse image searches reveal that the military equipment shown in the video was from the 101st Airborne Division that arrived in Alexandroupoli, Greece, on March 7, 2023. Approximately 1,500 pieces of equipment were transported via the US Liberty Pride and the USNS Brittin and were received by the incoming 1st Brigade Combat Team stationed in Europe.

Maritime dispute: This misleading YouTube video, along with similar claims, is among the many forms of disinformation spread on social media related to tensions in the South China Sea. 

China continues to assert its presence in the South China Sea, despite a 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated its sweeping claims over the disputed waters. (READ: [EXPLAINER] South China Sea: Why are China and Philippines tensions heating up?)

Rappler has previously debunked false claims about alleged military equipment arriving in the country:

• FACT CHECK: Black Hawk choppers delivered to PH Air Force, not Davao
• FACT CHECK: The Philippines, US didn’t have fight with China over Subic Bay
• FACT CHECK: Video shows shipment of US combat equipment to Italy, not PH
• FACT CHECK: No reports of ‘dozens of warships’ headed to West PH Sea

– Jerry Yubal Jr./Rappler.com 

Jerry Yubal Jr. is a graduate of Aries Rufo Journalism fellow of Rappler for 2023-2024. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.

Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. You may also report dubious claims to the #FactsFirstPH tipline by messaging Rappler on Facebook or Newsbreak via Twitter direct message. You may also report through our Viber fact check chatbot. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.