Metro Manila, Philippines— Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner expressed his desire for the United States mid-range missile system to remain in the country indefinitely.
Brawner made this statement during an ambush interview in Pasay City, following National Security Adviser Eduardo Año’s remarks that there are no immediate plans to withdraw the US Typhon missile system from the country.
Deployed in April as part of the ‘Salaknib’ joint exercises between Philippine and US forces, the Typhon is a land-based, ground-launched platform capable of firing the Standard Missile 6 and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles. It includes a battery operations center, four launchers, prime movers, and modified trailers.
“Hindi ko rin alam kung ano yung plano, but kung ako ang masusunod ano, if I were given the choice I would like to have the Typhons here in the Philippines forever, dahil kailangan natin yan para sa depensa natin,” said Brawner.
[Translation: I am not sure what the plan is, but if I had the choice, I would want the Typhons to stay in the Philippines forever because we need them for our defense]
Brawner said the military has communicated to the US side its stance on the missile system. He also dismissed claims that the presence of the missile system could destabilize the region or spark an arms race.
“Dapat palakasin natin yung ating armed forces ng sa gayon ay makakabuo tayo ng credible defense posture so that we will be able to deter any intentions of any country to violate our sovereignty and our sovereign rights,” added Brawner.
[Translation: We need to strengthen our armed forces so we can build a credible defense posture, which will deter any country’s intentions to violate our sovereignty and sovereign rights]
A Pentagon spokesperson, speaking to NewsWatch Plus in background on Tuesday, Sept. 24, described the deployment of the US mid-range missile system in the Philippines as a “contributor to force readiness” rather than a threat to regional security.
The spokesperson emphasized that decisions about the deployment of missile systems are made through close coordination with allies.
“US decisions around the deployment of capabilities are taken in close coordination and consultation with our allies and partners,” the spokesperson told NewsWatch Plus, when asked about the potential extended stay of the Typhon missile launcher beyond the initial time frame.
The Pentagon further highlighted that the deployment of defense equipment is part of the long standing military alliance between the US and the Philippines and supports broader regional security interests.
“These activities are part of our normal, longstanding defense relationship with the Philippines and contribute to force readiness and regional security,” the official said.
