The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday welcomed the United States’ readiness to deploy a second Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system, also known as the Typhon weapon system, in the country, emphasizing that it would strengthen the joint military training and cooperation between the Philippine and US armed forces.

This development follows the US announcement that it is prepared to deploy another Typhon missile system in the Philippines, pending approval by the Philippine government.

During a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing in Malacañang, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla confirmed the Philippine military’s openness to the proposal, highlighting improved joint training and strengthened defense capabilities as key advantages.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines is open to this step, especially since it opens up more opportunities for joint trainings, improves our interoperability, and enhances our capabilities,” Padilla told Palace reporters.

In April last year, the US deployed its first Typhon battery in Northern Philippines, which was used in familiarization trainings between the AFP and US Armed Forces, including the Balikatan war games and the Philippine Army’s Salaknib Exercise.

AFP Public Affairs Chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the Typhon missile system’s presence in the country was part of the “longstanding” defense alliance between the Philippines and the United States.

“The primary objective of this deployment is to strengthen Philippine military readiness, improve our familiarization and interoperability with advanced weapon systems, and support regional security,” Trinidad earlier told Daily Tribune in a Viber message.

Trinidad stressed the Philippine and US governments have been closely coordinating on all aspects of the MRC deployment, including its positioning around the country.

Meanwhile, Padilla emphasized that the missile system strengthens the country’s multi-domain defense posture across the Indo-Pacific region and aligns with the AFP’s objective of increasing its readiness to defend the national sovereignty.

She likewise underscored that any capability that supports the country’s defense objectives is “very welcome.”

“This Typhon missile system is not just a weapon; it is a symbol of deterrence, not aggression,” she said.

Asked about the potential reaction of China — which has repeatedly criticized the growing US-Philippine military partnership — Padilla reiterated that the AFP’s stance is “purely defensive.”

“The objective of the AFP is clear — defense, not provocation,” she said.

“We cannot control the reactions of others, but we can control our intentions — to protect the people and our sovereignty,” she said.

Padilla also framed the Typhon system as a responsible form of deterrence, deployed in partnership with “like-minded” nations committed to regional peace and stability.