MANILA – A high-ranking official from the National Security Council (NSC) of the Philippines has firmly stated that the nation possesses the sovereign right to bolster its defense capabilities at its discretion. This statement comes in response to China’s disapproval of the Philippines’ efforts to upgrade its military systems, which the NSC official described as misleading.
Jonathan Malaya, Assistant Director of the NSC, highlighted during a press briefing that the Philippines has refrained from commenting on China’s ongoing enhancements of its offensive capabilities. He criticized China for commenting on the Philippines’ defense improvements while simultaneously advancing its own military arsenal.
The controversy arose following China’s objections to the presence of the US Medium Range Capability (MRC) Typhon missile system in the Philippines. This system was introduced by American forces last year and utilized in training Filipino soldiers during the ‘Salaknib’ and ‘Balikatan’ military exercises. The training aimed to familiarize Filipino troops with the system, as the Philippines considers acquiring similar technology in the future.
China has expressed concerns that the continued deployment of such weapons could trigger an arms race in the Asia-Pacific region. In response, Malaya pointed out that China routinely conducts military exercises involving missiles like the DF-17, DF-21, and DF-41, with the latter having a range capable of reaching beyond the Philippines into the Pacific Ocean.
Malaya emphasized that the deployment of the MRC Typhon missile system in the Philippines is not unusual and that no commitment was made to withdraw it. He clarified that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had proposed withdrawing the weapon system if China ceased its unlawful and aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea. However, China provided no response to this proposal, as noted in transcripts from press conferences in Beijing.