American and Filipino security officials have agreed to keep a US mid-range missile system in the northern Philippines indefinitely to enhance regional deterrence amid China’s concerns.
The Typhon missile system, capable of firing Tomahawk missiles that can reach over 1,000 miles, was initially deployed during military exercises in April and is now under consideration for extended stay until at least next April.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. dismissed objections from other nations regarding the missile’s presence, suggesting that they should dismantle their ballistic capabilities first.
Both Teodoro and AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. emphasized the need for a credible defense posture in light of increasing Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea.
Chinese diplomats have voiced alarm over the missile deployment, warning it could destabilize the region, a claim the Philippine government has refuted.
Source: PhilNews24 | September 26, 2024
