Beijing told: Stop comments on PH defense decisions
The Philippines has the sovereign and inherent right to upgrade its defense capabilities, the National Security Council (NSC) said on Wednesday, after Beijing again called on Manila to withdraw the US Typhon missile deployed to the country since April last year.
NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya, also the agency’s spokesperson, said that China should stop commenting on the defense decisions of the Philippines because “we have not commented previously on [Beijing’s] ever-rising missile inventory which is the actual threat to regional stability.”
“It is deceptive for the PRC (People’s Republic of China) to comment on our right to improve our defense capabilities and position when they are the ones dramatically improving offensive capabilities,” Malaya said in a statement sent to the Inquirer.
He reiterated the government’s position that the Typhon missile system was “deployed only for defense purposes and [would] only be used in this manner.”
“We refute the assertion that the Typhon missile system will endanger the region,” he said. “We strictly adhere to the provisions of the constitution that the Philippines can neither employ the use of nuclear weapons or engage in offensive war.”
The country, according to Malaya, has the right to boost its defense capabilities “in opportunities which it deems appropriate.”
‘Bad faith’
On Wednesday, the newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, People’s Daily, said the Philippines has “repeatedly gone back on its word and acted in bad faith” on its alleged promise to withdraw the missile system from the country.
“This move by the Philippines has seriously damaged China-Philippines relations and the Philippines’ credibility. The Philippines’ calculation of wooing external forces for personal gain is doomed to fail. It will eventually suffer the consequences if it tries to fish in troubled waters for some major powers,” it added.
Malaya, however, earlier said the Philippines made no such commitment to China to withdraw the missile system.
In January, President Marcos told China to stop harping on Manila’s military affairs, saying the Philippines would return the Typhon to the United States if China drops its claim in the West Philippine Sea and stops harassing Filipino vessels and fishermen. —WITH A REPORT FROM JACOB LAZARO
