Gibo: US-made missile system in Phl 'legal, beyond reproach'

Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. defended the deployment of the United States (US)-made mid-range capability (MRC) also known as the Typhon missile system in the Philippines, saying it is completely “beyond reproach.”

“The deployment of U.S. mid-range missile assets to the Philippines in the context of joint exercises are completely legitimate, legal, and beyond reproach,” Teodoro said in a statement on Christmas Eve. 

Teodoro stressed that the Philippines is a sovereign state, not any country’s “doorstep.”

Hence, any deployment and procurement of military assets related to the Philippines’ security and defense “fall within its own sovereign prerogative and are not subject to any foreign veto,” he said.

Teodoro also noted that the country’s enhancement of its defense capabilities “in accordance with the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) is undertaken on the basis of the Philippines’ own national interest” and is under the country’s independent foreign policy.

“It is not targeted against specific countries. Instead, it is targeted against security risks, threats, and challenges,” he further said. 

Teodoro said the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) should cease their saber-rattling and stop their provocative actions in the West Philippine Sea if it “truly intends" to reduce tensions and instability in the region.

China, he added, should stop interfering in other countries' internal affairs, withdraw their illegal presence from the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, and adhere to international Law.

“While the CCP is criticizing the modest capability development of the Philippines, they are continuously building up their nuclear arsenal and ballistic missile capability, sponsoring criminal syndicates and subversive organizations beyond their shores, and are unwilling to uphold human rights in their own country,” Teodoro lamented. 

In its statement issued on Wednesday, the Chinese Embassy in Manila slammed Teodoro over his supposed “unjust accusation” of China’s opposition to the deployment of the US-made MRC missile system in the Philippines.

“We firmly oppose and strongly condemn such statement which is nothing but unjust accusation filled with ideological bias and based on bloc confrontation and the Cold War mentality,” the embassy stated. 

The Chinese government recently expressed opposition to Philippine Army’s chief LtGen. Roy Galido's recent remarks that the acquisition of the MRC missile system would be advantageous for the Philippines due to its “feasible functionality and adaptability.”

The embassy noted China's position as regards the matter is consistent and clear, saying one part of the world needs peace and prosperity and not the Mid-Range Capability missile system.

“Once again we remind the Philippines to heed the call of regional countries and their peoples, and have the Typhon missile system promptly pulled out as it has publicly pledged, and stop going further down the wrong path,” it added.

The embassy also accused Teodoro of making such “unprofessional and ludicrous remarks” in addition to “habitually attacking and smearing China and its ruling party.”

According to the embassy, Teodoro “personally impedes and obstructs mil-to-mil contacts and exchanges between China and the Philippines.”