The Philippines’ defense chief dared China to dismantle its own missile capabilities, including its nuclear arsenal instead of insisting on the disarmament of countries it is threatening.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro made the remarks after China claimed that the extended stay of the United States’ Typhon or Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system in the Philippines “is a move to turn back the wheel of history.”
“Why don’t they look at their own offensive missile capabilities and remove it, destroy their nuclear weapons, vacate Mischief Reef, and get out of the West Philippine Sea?,” Teodoro told reporters on the sidelines of his department’s briefing for its proposed 2025 budget before the Senate.
For Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr., the United States’ Typhon midrange capability (MRC) missile should stay in the country permanently.
Brawner made the remarks as the Army announced the extended stay of the ground-based missile system for training purposes, which is capable of firing Tomahawk and SM-6 missiles, amid mounting tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
“If I were given a choice, I would like to have the Typhons here in the Philippines forever,” Brawner said in an ambush interview in Pasay City.
The U.S. mid-range missile system (MRC) first arrived in the Philippines in April 2024 as part of a bilateral military exercise and was also featured in the Balikatan joint exercises.
The Philippines is considering purchasing similar missile systems in the future, with the extended stay of the U.S. system intended to train Filipino troops.
Although it was initially expected to leave by September 2024, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año stated there is no set timeline for its withdrawal, as plans have since changed.
The MRC is a unit of the ground-based missile system capable of firing Tomahawk and SM-6 missiles.
Teodoro said that if other countries feel uncomfortable with Manila bolstering its deterrent capabilities, they should lead by example and dismantle their ballistic missiles and nuclear armaments.
“It seems to me that before other countries interfere with the creation of our credible defense posture, they should first stop their illegal activities, get out of the West Philippine Sea, take away their ballistic capabilities, destroy their nuclear arsenal,” Teodoro said.
Teodoro said such actions are in line with the government’s Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Posture which aims to protect the country against incursions in its exclusive economic zones, particularly in the West Philippine Sea and Philippine Rise.
“We will do what needs to be done to create a credible deterrent posture,” he also said.
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