Typhon Mid-Range Capability (MRC) launcher developed by the US Army. Courtesy of Capt. Ryan Debooy, US Army/File

MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) defended anew the deployment of the United States' Typhon missile launcher in the country following China's fresh remark on the issue.

Presence of Typhon launcher in PH alarms China amid possible entry of more US defense systems – analyst

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system’s presence in the country was part of the long-standing defense alliance of between Manila and Washington.

“In terms of the AFP, the Typhon Mid-Range Capability missile system natin in the country is here, in the side of the AFP, for training purposes... It’s for us to enhance our operational readiness and our capability development as well,” Padilla told ABS-CBN News in a phone interview on Tuesday.

In a press briefing in Beijing on Friday, China’s Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang “required” the Philippines to “recognize the high sensitivity and severe consequences of the deployment of the Typhon missile system and remove it as soon as possible to honor its previous open promises.”

Zhang added that the missile system was an "offensive weapon."

“Such decision would only place the Philippines’ own security and national defense in the hands of others, and lead to geopolitical confrontation and risks of arms race in the region. It’s like giving an open invitation to the burglar and assisting the evildoer,” he said.

Philippines to train with US Typhon missile system in February

“By using the deployment of [the] Typhon as a bargaining chip on the South China issue, the Philippine side is selling out its own national security, putting the well-being of its people and regional peace and stability at grave risks. Such behavior is ridiculous and very dangerous,” he further claimed.

Padilla stressed that the Philippines is not expanding but protecting its own territory and maritime domain.

“We’d like to emphasize that the AFP and the Philippines as a whole has never been an expansionist force. Our military capabilities are designed for defense. We deter aggression, we secure borders and we safeguard our maritime domain. So, ang presence nito [Typhon missile system], it’s something that would reinforce this defense posture of ours,” the military spokesperson said. 

Padilla also reiterated that the AFP did not make any commitment to remove the missile system from the country.

The Typhon missile launchers are being used in the military’s training, which focuses on the orientation and familiarization of the capability.

“Ang missile na ito was introduced in 2024 as a critical component in enhancing our national defense capabilities for training purposes, upscaling our personnel, letting us to see if we are able to practice our logistical trains, how we will deploy such a capability,” Padilla noted.

She added that the Philippines plans to acquire a similar system so training with it was important.

The AFP last month confirmed that the MRC missile system has been relocated from Laoag City, Ilocos Norte to an undisclosed location. 

Beijing had called on Manila to pull out the missile launchers, but President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. offered China a deal, saying he is willing to pull out the weapon system if it will stop its acts of aggression in the West Philippine Sea.

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