MANILA — A ranking Philippine Navy official on Wednesday said that deterrence is not solely about weapon systems, but also encompasses other factors, such as the will of the people, military capabilities and alliances.

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Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, PN spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, was responding to questions about the possible deterrence effect of the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System or NMESIS, which US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has vowed to deploy to the Philippines to counter China’s presence in the region.

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During Hegseth’s visit to Manila in March, the Philippines and the US agreed that one of the key initiatives to accelerate their longstanding defense partnership is the deployment of more advanced US military capabilities in the country.

This includes the NMESIS, a high mobile coastal anti-ship missile with the ability to strike hostile surface vessels from land-based positions.

The training and testing of the NMESIS will be integrated into the Balikatan exercises, the annual bilateral drills between Philippine and US forces, this April and May. 

“Deterrence is more than just one missile system; it is an integration of different elements composed of but not limited to the will of the people, military capability, national leadership, and our alliances with like-minded states,” Trinidad said in a statement. 

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But Trinidad did not say when the NMESIS missile system is expected to arrive in the country.

This year’s Balikatan exercises will run from April 21 to May 9.

National democratic activist groups oppose the annual military exercises as well as the presence of foreign troops in the Philippines, saying these keep the country dependent on foreign powers and puts it at risk of being caught up in geopolitical rivalries and potential conflict.

In a statement on Araw ng Kagitingan to commemorate the Fall of Bataan during World War II, Kabataan party-list said the Philippines should honor the thousands who died by making sure the country is not used as a staging ground for war by foreigners.

“Kaya pagtalikod sa alaala ng mga bayani sa Bataan ang pagbigay daan ni [President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.] na muling gamitin ng US ang bansa natin sa pamamagitan ng [Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement] sites, [Visiting Forces Agreement] at ang Balikatan Exercises para gawing baseng pandigma muli tayo sa Asya-Pasipiko," she also said.

(That is why Marcos is turning his back on the heroes of Bataan by allowing the US to use the Philippines through EDCA sites, the VFA, and the Balikatan Exercises to again make us a military base in the Asia-Pacific)

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