HOME > INQUIRER > Article

Text Size

small

medium

large


PH never promised China it would withdraw US Typhon missile – NSC

PH never promised China it would withdraw US Typhon missile – NSC

Provided by INQUIRER.net.

The Philippine Army will conduct the next leg of its training for the United States mid-range capability (MRC) missile in their drills next month, its spokesperson, Col. Louie Dema-ala, said on Tuesday.
The armies of the US and the Philippines conduct a subject matter expert exchange about the Typhon midrange capability missile on June 27, 2024, in Laoag, Ilocos Norte. —Photo from the US Army Pacific



MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines did not make any commitment to China that it would remove the United States’ Typhon midrange missile system in the country, the National Security Council (NSC) said on Friday.

NSC spokesperson Jonathan Malaya made the remarks after Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun claimed that Manila made such a promise to Beijing.

“The Philippines never promised the People’s Republic of China (PRC) that we would withdraw the Typhon missile system,” Malaya said in a regular press conference of the West Philippine Sea task force.



READ: West Philippine Sea: Brawner wants US missiles to stay in PH ‘forever’


“We never made any commitment to PRC with this regard,” he added.

In a regular briefing on Wednesday, Guo said, “The Philippines has explained itself multiple times regarding the introduction of the Typhon system, pledging that the deployment was ‘temporary’ and that the system will be shipped out of the country after relevant military exercises.”

READ: Only PH decides military assets deployment in its territory – AFP

“However, it has breached such commitments, claiming [it] would acquire its own midrange system and field these deterrent capabilities, and linking the South China Sea issue with the Typhon system,” he added.

Guo made this statement in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s off-the-cuff offer that Manila will “return” the Typhon missile launchers to Washington if Beijing drops its claim on the West Philippine Sea and stops its harassment of Filipino vessels.

“But when the People’s Republic of China was asked about this, there was virtually no response,” Malaya said of Guo’s response to Marcos' deal.

“This question was asked point blank and the reply was not responsive,” he noted.

The Typhon missile arrived in the country from the United States on April 11, 2024, and was first used during the Balikatan exercises and has stayed in the country since.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Romeo Brawner Jr. has even said that he wants for the Typhon missile to stay in the country "forever" and that he hopes the country could acquire its own.

To date, the country has its own medium-range supersonic cruise missile dubbed as "BrahMos" which has a range of 290 to 400 kilometers that could travel at Mach 2.8, or about three times faster than the speed of sound.

Malaya then reiterated the country has a “sovereign and inherent right to upgrade its defense capabilities and opportunities which it deemed appropriate.”

The NSC official then noted that Manila has never commented on Beijing’s tests, like its Dongfeng medium-range ballistic missiles which could reach the country.

“We never criticized, we never commented even on their continued improvement of their offensive capabilities,” Malaya said.

“So feel that it is deceptive on the part of the People's Republic of China to comment on our right to improve our own defense capabilities and position while they continue to improve their offensive capabilities,” he continued.

INQUIRER

HEADLINES

POLITICS
Ishiba Orders Accelerated Infrastructure Inspections after Saitama Road Collapse
ECONOMY
KKR Successfully Completes Tender Offer for Fuji Soft after Bain's Withdrawal
SPORTS
Soccer: Arsenal Defender Tomiyasu Seen Out until Year-End after Knee Surgery
OTHER
Local Authorities Raid Aomori Hospital over Alleged Cover-up of Patient Murder

AFP-JIJI PRESS NEWS JOURNAL


Photos