Says missile launcher a deterrent, not a security threat

The decision to acquire the Typhon missile system is only for the Philippines to make and not for any other country to interfere with, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said on Saturday.

“As a sovereign nation, the Philippines has the right to determine the most appropriate measures to safeguard its security and the well-being of its people. Just like any other nation, the procurement of defense systems, including the Typhon missile launcher, is a step toward strengthening our deterrence capabilities and ensuring that we are prepared to defend our territory when required,” Año said in a statement.

China earlier issued a stern warning to the Philippines, saying there will be consequences if the acquisition pushes through.

“Our message to the Philippines: China will not sit on its hands when its security interests are in danger or under threat. The Philippines will be hurting its own interests if it keeps refusing to change course,” China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.

Mao said that for the Philippines to maintain “strategic independence, good-neighborliness and friendship, and peaceful development,” it must remove the missile system.

China said it views the Typhon as an offensive weapon, and that its presence in the Philippines fuels geopolitical tensions and contributes to an arms race in the region.

Año, however, denied Mao’s claim, saying it was “unfounded and pure speculation.”

“Just like any other nation, the procurement of defense systems, including the Typhon missile launcher, is a step toward strengthening our deterrence capabilities and ensuring that we are prepared to defend our territory when required. It is important to emphasize that these systems are meant to bolster our defensive posture in line with continued modernization of our Armed Forces,” he said.

“Our actions are meant to ensure peace and stability in the region and we will never undermine the security of any nation. We remain committed to maintaining an environment of peace, cooperation, and mutual respect in the region,” Año added.

On Friday, China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels conducted patrols around Scarborough Shoal, also called Panatag Shoal.

Beijing has been claiming the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, despite international laws and an international arbitral ruling that invalidated its claim.

The US Army deployed the mid-range missile system in the northern Philippines earlier this year for the annual joint military exercises with its longtime ally, and decided to leave it at the Laoag International Airport in Ilocos Norte.

Laoag airport is not among the nine sites covered by the Philippines-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. It is, however, near two EDCA sites – the Camilo Osias navy base in Sta Ana and Lal-lo airport – both in Cagayan province that is near Taiwan.

The missile system can fire the Standard Missile-6 and Tomahawk Land Attack Missile.

Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido said: “At 200 nautical miles, there is no land there and the army cannot go there. We need to contribute to this (defense of Philippine interests) by having this platform to be able to assist the primary major service that would focus on maritime and air domain.”

Under that scenario, the Typhon platform “will protect our floating assets,” Galido said, a reference to ships of the Philippine navy, coast guard and other vessels.