National Security Adviser Secretary and National Security Council Director General Eduardo Año said Friday the government has no plan to withdraw the Typhon US mid-range missile system in northern Luzon.

In an ambush interview with Sec. Año during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Maritime Safety Services Command (MSSC) of the Philippine Coast Guard at Sangley Point in Cavite, he confirmed that the Typhon missile system is still in the Philippines and that there is no timeline for how long it will remain in the country.

Año explained that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) still requires the missile system for training purposes.

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The decision regarding the withdrawal of the mid-range missile system will go through consultations between the Philippines and the United States under the Mutual Defense Board – Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB).

“Wala pang planong ipull-out yan, it would be the decision of the MDBSEB, yung Mutual Defense Board yan ang may say diyan and there will be a consultation but for now we need the typhon missile launcher for our training and capability upgrading ng ating Armed Forces. Kkailangan alam din natin kung paano mag-operate  nito because in the future, ito yung mga equipment na kailangan natin,” Año said.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier expressed concern regarding the mid-range missile system. Beijing has called for the immediate withdrawal of the Typhon system from the Philippines.

However, Año said the Philippines is an independent country with its own foreign policy and should not be dictated by China on what actions to take.

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“Nobody can dictate us on what to do and the same time it is also our duty to perform our role as partner of the United States as far as MDB is concerned and we know what is best for our country so they cannot dictate anything on us particularly on the deployment of this missile launcher,” Año added.

The mid-range missile system was used in joint exercises between the United States and the Philippines in April this year.