AFP open to deployment of more modern US missile systems to PH

Armed Forces of the Philippines/Facebook

By Priam Nepomuceno, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed the possible deployment of more American-made missile systems in the country, as this will provide Filipino soldiers more chances to train and increase their interoperability with their American counterparts.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla made the remark amid reports that the United States is ready to deploy another Medium Range Capability (MRC) Typhon missile system in the country, if allowed by the Philippine government.

The first MRC Typhon missile system was deployed to the Philippines last year during an iteration of “Salaknib” in April 2024.

She said this would enhance the capabilities of Filipino military units tasked to train with such modern weapon systems.

“Ito pong (the) Typhon missile system, hindi lang po ito armas (it is not just a weapon). It is a symbol of deterrence and not aggression,” Padilla said in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing.

She added the MRC Typhon enhances the multi-domain defense posture in the Indo-Pacific Theater.

Asked about the possible reaction of China to this development, Padilla said, the goal of the AFP is purely defensive and not provocation.

She said this weapon system, along with responsible defense cooperation, is also expected to guarantee peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific Region.

“Ang depensa po, hindi po ito pananakot kundi karapatan po ito. Hindi natin kontrolado po ang reaksiyon ng iba pero kontrolado naman po natin ang ating intensyon at itong intensyon na ito ay malinaw, protektahan po ang sambayanan at ang ating soberanya (defense, is not aimed at frightening or scary anyone. It is a right. We do not control the reactions of others but we control our intentions and our intentions are very clear, and that is to protect our people and sovereignty),” Padilla added.