Manila tells Beijing: Stop commenting on PH defense capabilities upgrade

Typhon Mid-Range Capability (MRC) launcher developed by the US Army. Courtesy of Capt. Ryan Debooy, US Army/File

MANILA — The Philippines on Thursday dismissed anew a call made over Chinese state media for the country to send the Typhon missile system back to the United States.

In a statement, the National Security Council (NSC) said the Philippines has the “sovereign and inherent right to upgrade its defense capabilities” in opportunities it deems appropriate.

“The Typhon missile system is deployed only for defense purposes and will only be used in this manner. We refute the assertion that the Typhon missile system will endanger the region,” NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya told defense reporters in a statement.

“We strictly adhere to the provisions of the Constitution that the Philippines can neither employ the use of nuclear weapons or engage in offensive war,” he added.

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China has repeatedly warned against keeping the launchers, which were brought over for the 2024 Balikatan exercises, may "provoke geopolitical confrontation and an arms race" in the Indo-Pacific region.

The NSC also slammed China for calling out Manila when it is Beijing that is “dramatically improving offensive capabilities.”

“It is in the same spirit that we have not commented previously on China’s ever rising missile inventory, which is the actual threat to regional stability,” Malaya said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines, meanwhile, again emphasized that no other country can dictate how the Philippine will fortify its defenses.

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