The National Security Council (NSC) on Friday emphasized that the deployment of the United States-made mid-range capability (MRC) missile system, also known as Typhon missile launcher, in the Philippines has nothing to do with any country.
“We wish to emphasize that the Typhon missile system is purely meant for defense purposes and is not directed against any nation,” National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said in a statement, a day after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. set a condition to China regarding its demand on pulling out the missile launcher from the Philippines.
On Thursday, Marcos said the Philippines might consider China’s demand if it stops its incursions into Philippine waters and ceases its harassment against Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“Let’s make a deal with China: Stop claiming our territory, stop harassing our fishermen and let them earn a living, stop ramming our boats, stop water-cannoning our people, stop firing lasers at us, and stop your aggressive and coercive behavior, and I’ll return the Typhon missiles,” Marcos said, daring China.
As this develops, Año said the NSC “fully supports” Marcos’ call to China “to respect Philippine sovereign rights and jurisdiction and stop aggressive and coercive actions” in the WPS.
Año stressed that the Philippines has always pursued “peaceful and diplomatic measures consistent” with its “desire to de-escalate” rising tensions in the WPS.
“As directed by the President, our actions in the West Philippine Sea remain compliant with international law and established norms of cooperation and diplomacy,” he said.
Año pointed out the Philippines’ diplomatic actions have been “contributory to peace and stability in the region, which will benefit not only the Philippines but the entire region.”
The Typhon Weapon System arrived in Manila on 11 April 2024 and is currently deployed in an undisclosed area in the country.
“It was deployed to the Philippines during the 2024 Balikatan exercises singularly meant to improve readiness and interoperability with troops and equipment from other countries, including the United States,” Año pointed out.
“As such, its continued deployment in the country is essential in our efforts to improve our defense capabilities,” he added.
Año said Marcos had made a “sincere gesture” to China when he set his conditions.
“We hope it will be reciprocated in the spirit of goodwill and amity among our two great nations,” he added.
This ground-based missile system is a Lockheed Martin design that takes the naval Mk.41 vertical launch system and modifies it for land-based operations, as well as being capable of firing Tomahawk and SM-6 missiles.
It has since been deployed in the country as part of Philippines-US military training, including the recently concluded Balikatan Exercise.
The missile system was also utilized as training equipment during the first phase of the ‘Salaknib’ Exercise in September last year.
The Philippine Army said they will be conducting another leg of familiarization training on the use of the Typhon weapon system in the second week of February this year.
China has been demanding that the Philippines withdraw the Typhon launcher, saying its positioning in the country could provoke regional instability.