ARMED Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr yesterday said he wants the United States’ Typhon missile system to remain in the Philippines despite China’s repeated demand for its pullout for supposedly being a threat to peace in the region.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr, meanwhile, chided China for saying the continued presence of the missile system is triggering an arms race.

The Typhon system, which is equipped with cruise missiles capable of striking Chinese targets, arrived in northern Luzon last April and is being used in the ongoing second phase of the “Salaknib exercise” between US and Filipino troops. The exercise is set to end this month. The Typhon also figured in the huge-scale “Balikatan” exercise held in late April to June.

China, which has been harassing Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea, has repeatedly demanded the pullout of the missile system.

China’s embassy in Manila yesterday reiterated its call for Typhon’s withdrawal.

“The deployment is a move to turn back the wheel of history. It gravely threatens regional countries’ security, incites geopolitical confrontation, and has aroused high vigilance and concerns of countries in the region,” it said.

China has its own advanced intermediate-range missiles as part of an extensive conventional ballistic missile arsenal.

Brawner, after the opening of the 5th Asian Defense, Security, and Crisis Management Exhibition and Conference at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, told reporters, “If I were given the choice, I would like to have the Typhon here in the Philippines forever. We need that for our defense.”

Brawner, in a phone interview later, said he has “informally” conveyed his position to US officials during meetings.

Told that his stand may further anger China, Brawner said: “It’s okay. We are building our defenses.”

He said the Armed Forces will enhance its defense capabilities whether through acquisition of Typhoon or other missile systems.

“Did we get mad when they installed missile systems at their islands? We did not,” he said, referring to the reclaimed islands of the Chinese in the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea.

“They should not interfere with us because it is for own interest… We are building our defenses,” said Brawner.

Brawner said the final decision on whether the Typhon missile system will remain in the Philippines beyond September will depend on the decision of both sides.

“We already mentioned (to US) our intention. If possible, the Typhon should remain in the Philippines… We’re still waiting for their response,” he said, adding he is not sure when the US position will come.

On whether the Typhon will stay in the country beyond this month, Brawner said, “I don’t know what their (US military officials) decision will be.”

Reuters reported last week the United States has no immediate plan to pull out the missile system.

‘COMPREHENSIVE

AIR DEFENSE’

Brawner said the military is planning to acquire “not only Typhon but also other missile systems because we need comprehensive air defense and maritime defense systems.”

“Our integrated defense, our Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept would necessitate aircraft, ships, missile systems… It (Typhon) is part of integrated missile defense system,” he said.

Brawner sought the help of Congress in funding the acquisition of equipment under the AFP Modernization Program, including multi-role fighters, so the military can better defend the country.

“We really need the help of our Congress, of the nation. We need to (equip) our Armed Forces so we can build a credible defense posture, so that we will be able to deter any intention of any country to violate our sovereignty and our sovereign rights,” he said.

LEAD BY EXAMPLE

Teodoro, on China’s claim that the Typhon missile system is triggering an arms race, said, “That’s what China is saying.”

Noting China is building up its military capability, Teodoro said the Chinese should lead by example by dismantling their nuclear arsenal and ballistic capability.

“Why should they be alarmed when they have a whole arsenal? You know China is saying that they are alarmed but that is interference into our internal affairs,” he said.

Teodoro said China is using “reverse psychology to deter us from building up our defensive capabilities.”

“Before they start talking, why don’t they lead by example? Destroy their nuclear arsenal, remove all their ballistic missile capabilities?” he said.

He said Chinese should also get out of the West Philippine Sea which China claims to be part of its territory.

“I mean, don’t throw stones when you live in a glass house. And that goes for other countries also that are worried about our defensive capability enhancement. Don’t throw stones if you live in glass houses,” he said.

China has denounced the deployment of the Typhon several times, including in May when Wu Qian, spokesperson for China’s defense ministry, said Manila and Washington had brought “huge risks of war into the region.”

China has fully militarized at least three of several islands it built in the South China Sea, which it mostly claims in full despite a 2016 arbitral ruling that backed the Philippines, arming them with anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles, the U.S has said.

China says its military facilities in the Spratly islands are purely defensive, and that it can do what it likes on its own territory. – With Reuters