MANILA – Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr. expressed his desire on Wednesday for the United States’ Typhon mid-range missile system to remain in the Philippines indefinitely, enhancing the country’s defense capabilities.
The missile system was initially brought to the Philippines by the U.S. in April as part of joint military exercises with Filipino forces. No timeline has been set for its departure.
“I don’t know the exact plan, but if it were up to me, I would want the Typhons to stay here in the Philippines forever because we need them for our defense,” Brawner stated during a chance interview at the 5th Asian Defense, Security, and Crisis Management Exhibition and Conference (ADAS 2024) at the World Trade Center.
Brawner confirmed the Philippine government’s interest in keeping the missile system, but declined to elaborate on the U.S. response. He also mentioned that the Philippines intends to purchase its own missile systems in the future, though logistical preparations are required.
China has voiced opposition to the presence of the Typhon missile system, claiming it undermines regional peace and stability. However, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. dismissed these objections as interference in the Philippines’ internal affairs.
“China is using reverse psychology to deter us from strengthening our defenses,” Teodoro remarked, urging China to “lead by example” by dismantling its own arsenal and withdrawing from the West Philippine Sea and Mischief Reef.
Meanwhile, National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya assured fishermen in Subic, Zambales, that the Philippines has the capability to retaliate against China using the missile system, though the government remains committed to diplomatic solutions.
“We have the BrahMos and Typhon missile systems in place. If we wanted, we could retaliate, but we are choosing diplomacy,” Malaya said, reiterating the country’s preference for a peaceful resolution to the West Philippine Sea dispute.
Malaya also emphasized the ongoing modernization of the Philippines’ military to prepare for any future challenges, likening the country’s defense strategy to a “Manny Pacquiao punch” capable of surprising a stronger opponent.
Lt. Col. Rodrigo Lutao Jr. of AFP-Northern Command echoed this sentiment, noting that while there is no unusual Chinese presence at the Philippine Rise, the missile systems could be deployed if necessary to assert the country’s rights.
The Typhon missile system, a land-based platform, is capable of firing the Standard Missile-6 and Tomahawk Land Attack Missile, the latter of which has a range of over 1,600 kilometers—putting China within reach.