Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. on Friday dismissed China’s warnings aimed at dissuading the Philippines from acquiring sophisticated mid-range missiles, asserting that the country has the right to bolster its defense capabilities and does not need the approval of its neighbor.
He responded to Beijing’s statement cautioning the Philippines “not to go down the wrong path,” after it learned the Department of National Defense (DND) was seriously considering purchasing Typhon missile systems from the United States.
“The whole world knows who is on the right path and who is on the wrong path. We cannot take advice from people who distort the truth, and nobody believes them anyway,” Teodoro said at the sidelines of appointment ceremonies for the Philippine Navy’s new Flag Officer-in-Command.
The Typhon is one of three U.S. Army ground-based missile systems, alongside the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System and the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon.
It can launch two types of anti-surface and anti-air missiles used by the Navy: the Tomahawk and the Standard Missile 6.
Teodoro emphasized that Manila’s legal stance rests on the 2016 ruling and broader international support, adding that China’s statements are “a waste of airtime to broadcast” because “only their leadership believes in what they say anyway.”
“We have the force of international law on our side, not only Philippine law,” he told reporters.
When asked whether the DND intends to proceed with plans to modernize the country’s deterrent capabilities, the defense chief said, “Definitely.”
However, Teodoro noted that the missile procurement plan is still under consideration and not necessarily limited to the U.S.’s Typhon missile system.
It can be recalled that Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. earlier said he wants the U.S. Typhon mid-range missile system to stay in the Philippines “forever.”
The U.S. military flew the Typhon system to the Philippines in April for use in war games but decided to preposition it indefinitely.
As this developed, the AFP confirmed that Thursday’s resupply and personnel rotation mission to BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) proceeded smoothly, without the usual harassment from Chinese maritime forces.
“There were no untoward incidents during the mission,” the AFP said in a statement.
“The AFP continues to uphold its mandate of safeguarding Philippine sovereignty and ensuring the welfare of its stationed personnel in the West Philippine Sea,” it added.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Teodoro rejects Beijing warning in buying US missile system.”
