‘LANDMARK DEPLOYMENT.’ The US Army’s Typhon Mid-Range Capability missile system arrived at an undisclosed location in northern Luzon on April 11, 2024 for the “Salaknib” exercises. — USARPAC
MANILA, Philippines — The Typhon mid-range capability missile system, which the Philippines acquired from the United States, is “not directed against any nation,” the National Security Council (NSC) said in a statement on Friday.
It was a reference to the notorious “behest loans” granted to individuals or corporations favored by powerful government officials.
About a year later, all that optimism disappeared into thin air, along with its Greenbelt showroom, which was once a vibrant outlet showcasing different e-scooter models. This space—meant to attract heavy foot traffic—has been padlocked very recently.
The NSC issued the statement after China called on the Philippines to “quickly pull out” the Typhon missile system following a report that the US deployed the missile system in a new location in the Philippines on Jan. 23.
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FEATURED STORIES GLOBALNATION PNP official among fatalities in Washington mid-air collision GLOBALNATION Marcos seeks immigration talks with Trump GLOBALNATION Trump foreign aid cuts sending shockwaves through Eastern Europe“We wish to emphasize that the Typhon missile system is purely meant for defense purposes and is not directed against any nation,” National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said in the statement.
“It was deployed to the Philippines during the 2024 Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises singularly meant to improve readiness and interoperability with troops and equipment from other countries, including the United States,” he added.
Article continues after this advertisementAño also said that the continued deployment of the Typhon missile system was vital to improving the Philippines’ defense capabilities.
mobile casino no deposit bonusArticle continues after this advertisementDefense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. previously stressed that the missile system was “not targeted against specific countries.”
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The Typhon missile system arrived in the country last April and was first deployed during the 2024 Balikatan exercises, the annual war games between Filipino and American troops with observers from allied countries.
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In a media interview on Thursday, Marcos said he was willing to pull the military equipment out of the country if China would stop its aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
Año said the remark was “a sincere gesture… which we hope will be reciprocated in the spirit of goodwill and amity among our two great nations.”
“The National Security Council fully supports the President’s call to the People’s Republic of China to respect Philippine sovereign rights and jurisdiction and stop aggressive and coercive behavior in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.
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“We have always pursued peaceful and diplomatic measures consistent with our desire to de-escalate rising tensions in the West Philippine Seasigebet,” the national security adviser added.
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