Teodoro, reacting to China’s warning vs the ‘wrong path’ of the US Mid-Range Capability missile system’s extended stay in the Philippines, says: Who started the arms race?
MANILA, Philippines – Before Beijing goes on accusing the Philippines and its treaty ally, the United States, of “[threatening] regional countries’ security,” it should take a hard look at its own actions and leave the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines’ defense chief said on Tuesday, September 24.
“Why don’t they look at their own offensive missile capabilities and remove it, destroy their nuclear weapons, vacate Mischief Reef, and get out of the West Philippine Sea?” Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. told reporters on the sidelines of his department’s briefing for its proposed 2025 budget before the Senate.
His statement comes after China claimed that the extended stay of the US’ Typhon or Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system in the Philippines “is a move to turn back the wheel of history.”
The MRC first landed in Philippine soil in April 2024 as part of a bilateral army-to-army exercise. The same missile system was also part of Balikatan, the largest joint exercise activity between the two treaty allies.
No immediate Typhon plans, but…
Military and defense officials earlier said the missile system’s extended stay was meant to allow the training of Filipino troops, should the Philippines acquire the same system in the future. Military officials had also said it would leave the Philippines by September 2024. Plans have changed since.
But Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, said there is no set timeline for the missile system’s exit from the Philippines.
Teodoro, who took over the defense post in June 2023, declined to confirm or deny that the Philippines was planning to acquire the same missile system but said: “Whatever will serve our deterrent purpose for our national defense, of course, that is open for consideration.”
He did have this to say about China’s reaction to the Typhon deployment: “Why are they picking on a country which is seeking to strengthen its credible deterrent posture while they have full offensive ballistic and other capabilities? How can a country which is seeking to protect its exclusive economic zone be a cause of instability in the Indo-Pacific area?”
“While this country does not have offensive nuclear weapons capabilities, has not reclaimed islands, has not claimed a nine-dash line which is illegal and absurd as part of its illegal arsenal. So, I wonder, why such is the case? It’s a part of the disingenuous robotic propaganda of China once again,” he added.
Beijing’s ‘serious concern’
Beijing previously said the Typhon’s deployment “gravely threatens regional countries’ security, incites geopolitical confrontation, and has aroused high vigilance and concerns of countries in the region.”
“We urge relevant country to heed the call of countries in the region, correct the wrongdoing as soon as possible, stop inciting military confrontation, quickly pull out the missile system as publicly pledged, and avoid going further down the wrong path,” said China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian on September 19.
This isn’t the first time Beijing accused the Philippines and the US of causing regional tension, as the treaty allies grow closer under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Under Marcos, the Philippines has taken stronger stances and actions in asserting its sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone, parts of which China claims as its own.
Manila’s current West Philippine Sea policy, to many experts here and abroad, is long overdue. Marcos’ predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte set aside a landmark 2016 Arbitral Ruling as he aspired for closer ties with China.
The Arbitral Ruling, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the peaceful settlement of disputes between countries, among other things, are the foundations of Manila’s assertions in the West Philippine Sea.
Beijing typically responds to Philippine actions in its own waters, as well as to developments in US-Philippine bilateral ties, by accusing either or both countries of “stirring up trouble” in the region.
Their rhetoric is just as elevated when other countries, including the Philippines’ strategic partner Japan, join in the chorus of criticism against China.
“What are they doing? Who started the arms race? Who built an island in the West Philippine Sea in the Mischief Reef? And why aren’t they condemning the other [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] countries with 4% GDP defense spending? So, why target the Philippines?” said Teodoro.
Defense spending
The Department of National Defense is asking for P254.115 billion in 2025, the bulk of which will go to the military. The proposed amount means the Philippines will be spending just over 1.8% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on defense.
“If they are throwing stones right now, let them remove their nuclear arsenal, withdraw from places that they’re not supposed to be [like the] West Philippine Sea,” added Teodoro.
Teodoro helms the agency as the military pivots from internal to territorial defense. It’s meant having to rethink Horizon 3, or the third phase of its modernization program.
The Senate subcommittee on finance, headed by retired police chief Senator Ronald dela Rosa, said it would “try” to find a way to increase the department’s budget for 2025. The briefing before Dela Rosa’s subcommittee took a little over two hours on September 24. – Rappler.com
