The Philippine Defense Minister on December 24 defended his country's decision to allow the US to deploy the Typhon medium-range missile system, while moving toward plans to purchase its own system.
Reuters quoted Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro as saying: "Any deployment and acquisition of assets related to the security and defense of the Philippines is within the sovereign prerogative of this country and is not subject to the veto of any country."
Mr. Teodoro stressed that the deployment of Typhon missiles for joint exercises is "legitimate, lawful and beyond reproach," while affirming that the upgrade of the Philippines' defense capabilities "is not aimed at specific countries."
Image of Typhon missile system at Laoag International Airport (Philippines) on September 13, 2024
Earlier, Philippine Army Chief Roy Galido said on December 23 that the country has a plan to buy a medium-range missile system. "We intend to buy because the feasibility and functionality of the Typhon missile system fits into the plan to deploy the defense of the archipelago," Galido said. The general also said that the number of missiles the Philippines will buy will depend on the country's financial capacity.
The US deployed the Typhon medium-range missile system to the northern Philippines in early 2024 to serve joint exercises with allies. However, after the exercises ended, the system was kept 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 issued on December 23, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning reaffirmed that they firmly oppose the deployment of US Typhoon missiles in the Philippines, and warned that Manila was risking an "arms race". Mr. Mao Ning also urged the Philippines to "quickly withdraw the Typhon missile system as previously committed and stop moving down the path of escalation".
In June, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun warned that the US deployment of Typhons to the Philippines would “seriously harm regional security and stability.” Recently, China and the Philippines have increased tensions over territorial disputes in the East Sea.
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Source: https://thanhnien.vn/philippines-co-the-mua-he-thong-ten-lua-tam-trung-typhon-cua-my-185241224172158362.htm
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