PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has stated that he would return the United States’ Typhon missile system only if China ceases its aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea, including harassment of Filipino vessels and territorial claims.
Marcos remarked on China’s call for the Philippine government to withdraw the missile launchers, reportedly repositioned in Luzon. Speaking in Lapu-Lapu City, the president questioned China’s opposition to the Philippine deployment, considering China’s own advanced weaponry.
“I don’t understand their comments on the Typhon missile system. We never question their missile systems, which are far more powerful than ours,” Marcos said during a media interview.
The president asserted that the Philippines would consider returning the missile system if China ceased its provocative behavior.
“Let’s make a deal—stop claiming our territory, stop harassing our fishermen, stop ramming our boats, stop using water cannons on our people, stop firing lasers at us, and stop your aggressive and coercive actions. Then, I’ll return the Typhon missiles,” he declared.
The Typhon mid-range surface-to-surface missile system, delivered to the Philippines in April 2024, was initially stationed in Ilocos Norte, a coastal province facing Taiwan.
Reports indicate that the US military has since redeployed the system to an undisclosed location in Luzon.
Philippine military officials plan to begin training on the Typhon system in February, with the country expressing interest in acquiring the missile launchers for enhanced defense capabilities.
Developed by US defense firm Lockheed Martin, the system has a range of approximately 480 kilometers, with future variants capable of reaching longer distances.
It can launch multi-purpose missiles such as the Tomahawk cruise missile, capable of striking targets in China and Russia, while its SM-6 missiles can hit air or sea targets beyond 200 kilometers.
China has strongly opposed the missile’s presence in the Philippines, but the Department of National Defense has refused Beijing’s demands for its removal.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Romeo Brawner Jr. defended the deployment and expressed hope that the country would procure the system soon.
Last week, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning urged the Philippine government to withdraw the missile launcher, claiming it heightened regional tensions and fueled an arms race.
“By bringing this strategic offensive weapon into this region, the Philippines is increasing tensions, inciting geopolitical confrontation, and provoking an arms race. This is a highly dangerous move and an irresponsible choice for regional security,” Mao said.
Meanwhile, Philippine Army spokesperson Louie Dema-ala announced that upcoming joint exercises with the US Army will focus on training personnel on the Typhon system’s payload delivery capabilities, including drone, robot, and rocket deployment.
The missile’s deployment comes amid escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea due to overlapping territorial claims by Manila and Beijing.
China asserts sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration rejecting its claims. Beijing, however, continues to disregard the decision.