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 joint military training and cooperation between the Philippine and U.S. armed forces.

This development follows the United States' announcement that it is prepared to deploy a second Typhon missile system in the Philippines, pending approval from the Philippine government.

During a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing held 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.

"Bukas po ang Armed Forces of the Philippines sa ganitong hakbang, lalo na’t ito ay nagbubukas po ng mas maraming pagkakataon para po sa joint trainings, ‘yung interoperability po natin at capability enhancement na rin po," Padilla told Palace reporters.

In April of last year, the U.S. deployed its first Typhon batteries in northern Philippines, which were actively used in a series of familiarization trainings between the AFP and the U.S. Army, including during 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 “long-standing” defense alliance between the Philippines and the U.S.

“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 previously told DAILY TRIBUNE in a Viber message.

Trinidad also stressed that the governments of the Philippines and the U.S. were closely coordinating with each other “on all aspects” of the MRC deployment, including its positioning around the country.

Meanwhile, Padilla stressed 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 national sovereignty.

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

"Ito pong Typhon missile system, hindi lang ito armas. It is a symbol of deterrence and not aggression," she pointed out.

When asked about potential reactions from China, which has repeatedly criticized growing U.S.-Philippine military cooperation, Padilla reiterated the AFP’s stance that the initiative is "purely defensive."

“Ang layunin po ng AFP ay malinaw: depensa, hindi probokasyon,” she said.

“Hindi natin kontrolado ang reaksyon ng iba, pero kontrolado natin ang ating intensyon — protektahan ang sambayanan at ating soberanya.”

Padilla also framed the Typhon system not as a threat, but as a tool of responsible deterrence, deployed through partnerships with “like-minded” nations that share a vision of regional peace and stability.

The Philippine government has not yet issued a formal statement on whether it will approve the second Typhon system deployment.

Defense Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. lambasted China's objection to the deployment of various U.S. military assets in the Philippines.

"Wala silang pakialam 'dun, bakit sila nagde-deploy din sa ibang mga lugar. Eh ano sa akin kung magalit sila?" Teodoro told reporters in a previous ambush interview at Camp Aguinaldo on Friday.

Teodoro brushed off China's "unnecessary" concerns regarding the deployment of U.S. military assets in the country.