AFP: No country can dictate on PH's defense upgrades
Philippine News Agency
By Priam Nepomuceno
February 26, 2025, 2:29 pm
MANILA -- No other country or foreign entity can dictate how the Philippines must improve its defense capabilities, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said on Wednesday.
Padilla was reacting to China's latest remarks calling for the immediate withdrawal of the US-made Medium Range Capability (MRC) Typhon missile system, claiming that the Philippines broke its promise that the platform's deployment to the country is only temporary.
"We continue to uphold our stand on that, that no particular entity or foreign nation can dictate how we will be fortifying our defenses," Padilla said in an interview with reporters.
The AFP spokesperson also maintained that all military exercises being done with Philippine military allies and partners are part of their efforts to beef up the country's defenses.
She added that it is the mandate of the AFP to strengthen its capabilities to protect the nation and its security.
"The AFP is committed to ensuring a secure and resilient Philippines in the face of modern challenges," Padilla said.
The MRC Typhon was brought by American forces last year and used to train Filipino troops during the 2024 iteration of the "Salaknib" and "Balikatan" exercises so that they will have first-hand knowledge on how such weapon systems work as the Philippines is planning to acquire similar platforms in the future.
China earlier claimed that the continued presence of the weapon would spark an "arms race" in the Asia-Pacific Region. (PNA)
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