The National Security Council (NSC) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) expressed full support to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s remarks that China should respect the Philippine sovereign rights and jurisdiction, and stop its “aggressive and coercive” behavior in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
In a statement Friday, Jan. 31, National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año and AFP Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr. said they stood firmly with Marcos in upholding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“We have always pursued peaceful and diplomatic measures consistent with our desire to de-escalate rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea. As directed by the President, our actions in the West Philippine Sea remain compliant with international law and established norms of cooperation and diplomacy. We see this as contributory to peace and stability in the region, which will benefit not only the Philippines but the entire region,” Año said.
Last Thursday, Marcos asked China to stop its aggression in the WPS in exchange for the country’s return of the Typhon missile system to the United States.
“Let’s make a deal with China: Stop claiming our territory, stop harassing our fishermen and let them have a living, stop ramming our boats, stop water cannoning our people, stop firing lasers at us, and stop your aggressive and coercive behavior, and we’ll return the Typhon missiles,” the President said during an event in Cebu City.
The Philippine Army (PA) earlier confirmed that the Typhon mid-range capability (MRC) – first deployed in April last year for a military exercise between the two countries’ militaries – was transferred from Northern Luzon to an undisclosed location for an upcoming military exercise later this February.
Año said the Typhon “is not directed against any nation” and its presence in the country is “purely meant for defense purposes.” China had repeatedly called for the missile launcher’s withdrawal, saying its presence in the Philippines raised tension in the region.
“It was deployed to the Philippines during the 2024 Balikatan exercises singularly meant to improve readiness and interoperability with troops and equipment from other countries, including the United States. As such, its continued deployment in the country is essential in our efforts to improve our defense capabilities,” Año said.
Meanwhile, Brawner, who had openly declared eagerness to procure the Typhon missile launcher for the AFP, recalled that the President committed during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2022 that the government would not surrender even a square inch of the country’s territory to any foreign power.
“The AFP fully embraces this commitment and remains resolute in defending our sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea,” the military chief said.
As such, he declared that the “illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions” of the China Coast Guard (CCG) and the People's Liberation Army - Navy (PLA-N) in the country’s maritime domain “must stop immediately.”
“These actions, including the continued harassment of our vessels, dangerous maneuvers, and interference with the livelihood of Filipino fishermen, are not only violations of international law, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award, but also clear infringements of our domestic laws,” Brawner said.
“These reckless actions threaten regional stability and undermine both the sovereignty of the Philippines and the principles of a rules-based international order,” he added.
Brawner vowed that the AFP would continue to strengthen the country’s defense posture, enhancing the military’s self-reliant capabilities, and deepen security partnerships with “like-minded” nations, including modernizing the military through the procurement of advanced assets and weaponry.
He said the AFP also remains in close coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and other maritime agencies in asserting the country’s rights and safeguarding national interests.
“We call on every Filipino to stand united in defending West Philippine Sea—know our seas, fight for our rights, and support what is ours for the future and for the generations to come,” Brawner said.