Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. rebuked China’s recent warning to the Philippines regarding its purchase of a missile system to enhance defense capabilities.
Teodoro was reacting to Beijing cautioning the Philippines “not to go down the wrong path,” citing DND’s alleged intent to purchase missile launcher ‘Typhon’ from the United States.
“The whole world knows who is on the right path and who is on the wrong path. Definitely, we cannot take advice from people who distort the truth, and nobody believes them anyway,” Teodoro said.
The Typhon is one of three ground-based missile systems of the US Army, alongside the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System and the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon. It can launch two types of anti-surface and anti-air missiles used by the Navy: the Tomahawk and the Standard Missile 6.
Teodoro emphasized that Manila’s legal stance rests on the 2016 ruling and broader international support, adding that China’s statements are “a waste of airtime to broadcast.”
“We have the force of international law on our side, not only Philippine law,” Teodoro said.
“China does not have the force of law on its side. It does not have right on its side. That’s why they are leftists,” he added.
China has long claimed nearly all of the West Philippine Sea, despite an international tribunal ruling in 2016 rejecting Beijing’s claims, finding them incompatible with international law.
The Philippines continues to assert its right to conduct activities in its exclusive economic zone, despite China’s warnings and increased maritime presence.
Teodoro and his US counterpart, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, are also expected to discuss the review of both their countries’ bilateral cooperation in Manila.
“It is once again an opportunity to also lay down some future plans. Anyway, whatever it is, it’s on an institutional basis, our bilateral relations. There are mechanisms… It is also an opportunity for us to thank him for what he has done to make the alliance not only bilaterally, but multilaterally, enduring against the face of a distorted plan of action by China,” Teodoro told reporters.
