DFA chief blasts China’s ‘overreaction’ over US missile deployment

Chiding China for “overreacting” to the deployment of a U.S. Typhon missile system in Northern Luzon, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo criticized Beijing’s concerns as exaggerated.

In an interview, Manalo emphasized that the missile system is purely for defense and not aimed at any country, much like China’s own military build-up, which includes nuclear weapons and advanced satellite systems. He stressed that the Philippines has no intention of using the system offensively unless attacked. Beijing, however, remains uneasy due to the missile system’s potential reach into key Chinese cities.

“First of all, the Typhon missile (system) is not aimed at any country; they are there for defense,” Manalo stated, adding that operational matters fall under the Department of National Defense (DND). He found China’s persistent objections baffling, pointing out that Beijing possesses far more missiles than the Philippines. He also asserted that the Philippines has every right to enhance its defense capabilities, just as other nations do.

Manalo noted that the Philippines has never criticized any country’s efforts to strengthen its military. He highlighted that China now surpasses the United States in sheer military size, boasting the world’s largest army, navy, air force, and nuclear stockpile.

He concluded by reminding Beijing that under international law, every nation has the right to defend itself. He condemned China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea, where its coast guard and maritime militia use water cannons and laser beams to harass Filipino naval personnel within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).”We abide by the UN (United Nations) Charter, but nothing in the UN Charter says that a country cannot defend itself or at least be ready to defend itself,” Manalo affirmed. TRACY CABRERA