The Philippine government has been beefing up its defense spending to enable its military to foster stronger cooperation with allies, according to a ranking National Security Council (NSC) official.
NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya made this statement following United States President Donald Trump’s appeal to allies, including NATO members, to increase their defense spending to a minimum of 2 percent of their gross domestic product.
“I think we have shown to the United States that we have been ramping up our defense spending,” Malaya said in the Utak Forum held at the New Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.
“We now have a very clear Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) which really requires enormous sums of money in investment into Philippine defense, military spending, or security spending.”
Under the CADC, the Philippine military aims to safeguard the country’s territories, including its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
Malaya said that Manila has been allocating more funds to continue the Horizon 3 of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program, focused on acquiring equipment and weapon systems for external defense and territorial security of the country.
“So if we follow the logic where he (Trump) is asking NATO members to devote more of their resources, I think we’re also doing the same,” Malaya said.
He noted that the Philippine government has been increasing its defense spending to enhance its military capabilities and foster stronger cooperation with allies.
Malaya also clarified that the presence of the US Medium Range Capability Typhon missile system in the Philippines was not for offensive purposes.
“I think the Philippine government has made very clear its position that the presence of the Typhon missile system in the Philippines was part of the ‘Balikatan’ exercises,” he said.
“The purpose of that was to train Filipino troops in utilizing this system, and it is not for offensive purposes, but primarily for defensive purposes and to ensure that the Philippines has the capacity to operate such a weapon system.”
The Philippine government has expressed interest in buying the Typhon missile system, similar to its purchase of the BrahMos missile system. The missile system arrived in the Philippines last year and was used for training purposes during the Filipino and American exercises.
“Very clearly, it is for defense purposes, so as mentioned by the AFP, this is a sovereign act, this is a decision of the Philippine government, and it is not meant for any other state, but for the territorial integrity of the Philippines,” he said.
China had previously criticized the deployment of the missile system to the Philippines, claiming it poses a threat to regional peace and security. However, Malaya’s statement reaffirms the Philippine government’s commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities and fostering stronger.