Philippines says no one can dictate how it fortifies its defenses

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Philippines said Wednesday that no country or entity can dictate how it fortifies its defenses following calls by China for the withdrawal of Typhon missiles from the archipelago.

"We continue to uphold our stand on that, that no particular entity or foreign nation can dictate how we will be fortifying our defenses," Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said, according to the Philippines New Agency.

Padilla said all military drills conducted with the Philippines' allies and partners aim to strengthen the nation's defense capabilities.

Her remarks came in reply to an article published in Chinese state media the People’s Daily that urged the Philippines to withdraw the Typhon missile system, saying Manila has continuously “gone back on its word” to do so and that the placement was temporary.

"The region needs peace and prosperity, not intermediate range missiles and confrontation," said the commentary.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said last month that the country would return the Typhon missile system to the US if China ceased its “aggressive behavior.”

His remarks followed China’s statement in December urging the Philippines to “quickly pull out the Typhon missile system,” arguing that Manila’s acquisition of missiles would “fuel tensions” in the region.

China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, overlapping the territorial waters of several countries, including the Philippines.