Año to China: Respect PH's sovereign right to beef up defenses

Rowegie Abanto

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173544435475920241229.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Typhon Mid-Range Capability (MRC) launcher developed by the US Army. <em>Courtesy of Capt. Ryan Debooy, US Army</em></span></span></span>MANILA — China must respect the Philippines&#x27; decisions on national defense, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said in response to criticism over a plan to acquire a missile system from the US that Philippine troops have been training to use.</div><p>China has warned that this could lead to a regional &quot;arms race&quot;.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2024/12/27/china-launches-new-generation-assault-ship-sichuan-1743">China launches new generation assault ship &#x27;Sichuan&#x27;</a></div><p>&quot;We encourage all parties to respect the Philippines&#x27; sovereign right to make decisions regarding its defense and security, and we remain committed to maintaining an environment of peace, cooperation, and mutual respect in the region,&quot; Año said in a statement on Saturday.</p><p>His statement came after China criticized the Philippines&#x27; plans to acquire the US Typhon missile system as part of a push to protect Manila&#x27;s maritime interests. </p><div><strong>DEFENSE AND DETERRENCE<br/></strong></div><p>Año said the &quot;[r]ecent comments suggesting that our efforts to enhance our defense and deterrence capabilities — specifically the deployment of the Typhon missile system — are part of a broader arms race or pose a threat to the region or any country are unfounded and are pure speculation.&quot;</p><p>The Philippines has been upgrading its military for years, with fighter aircraft and missile systems among the planned acquisitions to help protect the country&#x27;s territory and exclusive economic zone.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/23/planning-negotiations-for-acquisition-of-mrc-missile-system-underway-ph-army-1255">Philippine military plans to acquire US Typhon missile system </a> </div><p>&quot;In its long history as a sovereign nation, the Philippines has never provoked conflict, but we are always vigilant in defending our sovereignty against any potential threats. Our actions are meant to ensure peace and stability in the region and we will never undermine the security of any nation,&quot; Año said.</p><p>Año stressed that the Philippines &quot;has the right to determine the most appropriate measures&quot; to protect its security and its people. </p><p>&quot;Just like any other nation, the procurement of defense systems, including the Typhon missile launcher, is a step toward strengthening our deterrence capabilities and ensuring that we are prepared to defend our territory when required,&quot; he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/24/dnd-chief-accuses-china-of-sponsoring-criminal-syndicates-1624">Defense chief accuses China of &#x27;sponsoring criminal syndicates&#x27;</a></div><div><strong>&#x27;HAWKISH MOVE&#x27;</strong></div><p>Criticism of the planned missile system purchase has not come only from China, with progressive group Bayan Muna warning that it could add to tension over the South China Sea — part of which is the West Philippine Sea — and could drag the Philippines into the rivalry between the US and China.</p><p>In a statement Saturday, the group said it “vigorously denounces” what it called the US’ “hawkish instigations in the South China Sea” to advance its interests in the region.</p><p>&quot;This kind of defense spending will only put a  heavy strain on our already debt-saddled national budget, will worsen the deficit, and, will even result to  an unnecessary arms race  with other counties in the region,&quot; former Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate also said in the same statement on Saturday.</p><p>Bayan Muna said the government should instead counter China&#x27;s incursions in the West Philippine Sea &quot;through more active diplomatic initiatives,  multilateral engagements in fora  like the UN, rallying other claimant countries and push China for a mutually acceptable code of conduct, and, other non-hawkish, resource-depleting initiatives.&quot;</p><p>In a statement on Christmas Eve, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro defended the country&#x27;s plans to acquire the US Typhon missile system, saying that if China really wants to reduce tensions in the area, &quot;they should cease their saber rattling, stop their provocative actions, halt their interference in other countries&#x27; internal affairs, withdraw their illegal presence from the Philippines&#x27; EEZ, and adhere to International Law.&quot; </p><p>Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.</p><p>Manila and Washington, longstanding treaty allies, have deepened their defense cooperation since Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos took office in 2022 and began pushing back on Beijing&#x27;s claims to the South China Sea.</p><div><strong>—with a report from Agence France-Presse</strong></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HBVx3aHaH7s?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>National Security Adviser Eduardo Año this week told China to respect the Philippines' sovereign rights to beef up its defenses.</p>

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año this week told China to respect the Philippines' sovereign rights to beef up its defenses.

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Año to China: Respect PH's sovereign right to beef up defenses

Año to China: Respect PH's sovereign right to beef up defenses

Rowegie Abanto,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 29, 2024 11:53 AM PHT

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