Reuters quoted Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro as saying: “Any deployment and procurement of assets related to the security and defense of the Philippines are within the country’s sovereign prerogatives and are not subject to veto by any country”.
Mr. Teodoro emphasized that the deployment of Typhon missiles for joint exercises is “legal, legal and cannot be criticized”, and affirmed that upgrading the Philippines’ defense capabilities “is not aimed at specific countries”.
Image of the Typhon missile system at Laoag international airport (Philippines) on September 13, 2024
Previously, Philippine Army Commander-in-Chief Roy Galido said on December 23 that the country has a plan to buy a missile system with medium-range capabilities. “We intend to buy because the feasibility and functionality of the Typhon missile system is consistent with the archipelago defense deployment plan,” Mr. Galido said. The general also said the number of missiles purchased by the Philippines will depend on the country’s financial capacity.
The US has deployed the Typhon medium-range missile system to the northern Philippines since early 2024 to serve joint exercises with its allies. However, after the exercises ended, this system was still retained in the Philippines, despite China’s objections.
AFP quoted Philippine military officials as saying that the Typhon system can protect ships up to 370 km (200 nautical miles) from the coast, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
According to Reuters, citing a statement released on December 23, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ninh reaffirmed that they resolutely oppose the deployment of US Typhoon missiles in the Philippines, and warned that Manila is risking “running away”. arms race”. Mr. Mao Ninh also urged the Philippines to “quickly withdraw the Typhon missile system as previously committed and stop moving forward on the path of escalation.”
In June, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun warned that the US deployment of Typhon to the Philippines “seriously damages regional security and stability”. Recently, China and the Philippines have increased tensions surrounding territorial disputes in the East Sea.
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