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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DFA chief calls China's concern over PH typhon missile an 'overreaction'

DFA chief calls China's concern over PH typhon missile an 'overreaction'

Published Feb 28, 2025 08:38 am

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo labeled China's continuous concern over the Philippines' typhon missile system as an overreaction. 

Enrique Manalo_DFA.jpg

In an interview with NewsWatch on Feb. 27, Manalo pointed out that the missile system, which has been subject to China's criticisms, is not aimed at any country and was meant for defensive purposes.

The DFA chief also stressed that the Philippines has no intention of directing the missile system at any certain country, unless the country is attacked.

"First of all the typhon missile is not aimed for any country, they are there for defense. And it's actually the DND (Department of Defense) which is dealing with the operational aspect but in principle they are really there for our defense," Manalo said during the interview.

"And therefore, I really can't understand the continuous concern being expressed by China on their use, when you consider that China has certainly many more missiles than the Philippines. And I don't know where they are aimed at," he argued.

"So, I think there might be an over reaction to the typhon missiles which are clearly for defensive purposes and the Philippines have  absolutely no intention of directing them at any certain country, unless we're attacked. But that's why they're for defense," Manalo went on.

Manalo further emphasized that having the missile system is the country's prerogative and right, thus it should not be questioned by other countries.

He also stressed that the Philippines had never criticized any country's move to boost its defense capability.

"It's our prerogative kasi do we question what they...and if we say it's for national defense, for security in general. Every country has a right to defend so as long as it doesn't use it for aggressive purposes. We abide by the UN Charter but nothing in the UN Charter says that a country cannot defend itself or at least be ready to defend itself," Manalo said.

"We're not using it so yun nga, I don't really understand why there's this deep concern on this when we already mentioned it's not aimed at any country.  And so, and we don't criticize what they do. We don't criticize what other countries do. They wish to build up their defenses, we never criticize them," Manalo added.

Among the criticisms expressed by China over the missile system was when it called on the Philippines to pull out the typhon missile launcher deployed by the United States in the country, saying it must stop "going further the wrong path."

China stood by its stand that the Philippines is "creating tensions and antagonism" in the region in the US deployment of the Mid-Range Capability missile system in the Philippines.

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