AFP chief wants US missiles in Philippines ‘forever’ | ABS-CBN

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AFP chief wants US missiles in Philippines ‘forever’

AFP chief wants US missiles in Philippines ‘forever’

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

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


MANILA – Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr. on Wednesday said he wants the United States’ Typhon midrange capability missile in the Philippines “forever’” as part of the country’s defense. 


The US brought the missile system to the Philippines in April for the joint military exercises between American and Filipino troops. There is still no timeline for how long it will remain in the Philippines.


“Hindi ko rin alam kung ano ‘yong plano eh pero kung ako ang masusunod (I don't know what the plan is either, but if it were up to me), if I were given a choice, I would like to have the Typhons here in the Philippines forever dahil kailangan natin ‘yan para sa depensa natin,” he told reporters in a chance interview during the 5th Asian Defense, Security, and Crisis Management Exhibition and Conference (ADAS 2024) at the World Trade Center.


He said the Philippine government has expressed its desire for the missile system to stay in the country, but declined to disclose the US’ response. 


The country’s top military official said the Philippines also wanted to buy its own missile system, but would work first on “the other things that we need in order for us to be able to support our platforms.”


China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been calling for the withdrawal of the missile system from the Philippines, saying it undermines the peace and stability in the region.


Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. rejected China’s demands as interference in Manila’s internal affairs. 


“China is saying that they are alarmed but that is interference into our internal affairs. They are using reverse psychology in order to deter us from building up our defensive capabilities,” Teodoro said.


“Before they start talking, why don’t they lead by example? Destroy their nuclear arsenal, remove all their ballistic missile capabilities, get out of the West Philippines Sea and get out of Mischief Reef,” he added. “I mean, don’t throw stones when you live in a glass house.”


In a fishermen’s forum in Subic, Zambales on Tuesday, National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said the Philippines has the capacity to retaliate against China using the missile system. However, the country will continue to seek diplomatic solutions in the West Philippine Sea, he said. 


“Alam ko po na karamihan sa inyo ay naiinis na, kasama niyo kami…nagtitimpi lang tayo,” Malaya told fisherfolk as they share their experiences of China’s harassment. 


(I know that most of you are getting frustrated; we are with you… we are just holding back.)



“Alalahanin niyo po, meron na tayong BrahMos missile system, meron nang Typhon missile system, nandito, galing sa US. Nandito po ‘yan sa Pilipinas. Kung gugustuhin po natin, puwede tayong rumesbak pero ayaw po nating gawin iyon,” he said, quickly adding though that the Philippines would not take that route as it continues to pursue a diplomatic approach on the dispute.


(Remember, we already have the BrahMos missile system, we already have the Typhon missile system from the US. If we wanted to, we could retaliate, but we don't want to do that.)


He reiterated that the Philippines would not enter into war. 


“Ang gusto po natin ay diplomatikong solusyon; ayaw po natin ng giyera,” he said.


(What we want is a diplomatic solution; we do not want war.)


Malaya said the country would continue to modernize its military to enhance its capacity for any eventuality. 


“Pinapalakas po natin ‘yong ating kakayahan kasi napakahirap makipag-one-on-one sa China. Kailangan mapalakas natin ang ating Sandatahang Lakas para dumating man tayo sa punto na kung sakaling suntukin tayo, kapag nakasuntok tayo, parang Manny Pacquiao ba, malay mo, mapatumba natin ‘yong kalaban?” he said. 


(We are strengthening our capabilities because it is very difficult to engage one-on-one with China. We need to strengthen our Armed Forces so that when the time comes, if we are struck, and we strike back, like Manny Pacquiao, who knows, we might take down the opponent?)


Lt. Col. Rodrigo Lutao Jr. of AFP-Northern Command agreed with Malaya’s remark. 


“Sa Benham Rise or Philippine Rise… wala namang unusual presence ng mga kababayan kong Chinese doon kasi kung meron, may dalawa po kaming missile doon, bubugahan namin sila pero huwag naman sana. Firstly, ang amin pong intention is hindi tayo makipag-giyera Gusto lang nating i-assert ang ating karapatan,” he said. 


Typhon missile system is a land-based weapon that can fire the Standard Missile-6 and the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile.


Tomahawk missiles can travel over 1,600 kilometers, which places China within their target range.  




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