DND unfazed by China's threat vs missile acquisition plan

(UPDATE) DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Friday shrugged off China's warning against the Philippines' plan to procure mid-range missiles to bolster its defense capabilities.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event at the Philippine Navy headquarters in Manila, Teodoro said the Philippines has the right to have a missile system if it wants to.

"We have the force of international law on our side, not purely Philippine law. China does not have the force of law on its side. It does not have right on its side. That's why they're leftist," he said.

"I think the whole world knows who is on the right path and the wrong path. Definitely, you know, we cannot take advice from people who distort the truth and nobody believes them anyway. So, I think it's a waste of air time to broadcast the claims of China because only their leadership believes in what they say anyway."

Teodoro's statement came a day after Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lian Jian said the Philippines' intent to buy missiles from the United States is a "provocative" and "dangerous" move.

Lian also warned that the plan could fuel regional "tensions and antagonism."

Teodoro, however, said the planned missile acquisition is not yet final and not limited to the US' Typhon missile system.

"Because there must be consent to sell. However, we are planning to have such kinds of capabilities. I'm not saying the Typhon. I'm saying such kinds of capabilities," he said,

Teodoro, nevertheless, said the Philippines and the US would review its bilateral cooperation during the visit of his counterpart, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III, to Manila this week.

"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. For example, the security sector assistance roadmap, the bilateral strategic dialogue, and other mechanisms like the squad," he said.

"So, I think 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. So, I once again thank the Filipino people for their support for the President's (Ferdinand Marcos Jr.) stand on the West Philippine Sea, and we also thank a bigger number of like-minded nations that are coming to realize that China's propaganda is really nonsensical actually."

Already in the country

The US has a mid-range capability missile system already installed in an undisclosed location in Northern Luzon. It was brought in April as a component of the annual Salaknib drill between American and Philippine troops.

It was reportedly the first time such a US weapon system was brought in to the country. It would provide US forces the ability to launch Standard Missile 6 and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles across the Luzon Strait.

Defense budget deliberations

During the deliberations for the Department of National Defense (DND) budget on Thursday, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said reducing the P50 billion DND budget by P10 billion, as suggested by the House of Representatives, would affect seven components of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program for 2025, including cyber systems, forward support equipment, aviation and engineering equipment, additional aircraft, joint tactical combat vehicles and radar-basing support systems.

Majority Leader Sen. Francis Tolentino said the DND should consider leasing instead of buying military equipment.

Tolentino added that leasing is more cost-effective than procurement because it involves lower initial investment, reduces upfront capital expenditure, and allows flexibility and rapid upgrade without committing to long-term ownership.

Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri said he was in full support of the proposed 2025 DND budget, noting it was during his time as Senate president that the military's budget was increased by almost P10 billion and new vessels procured for the Philippine Coast Guard.

"I am very proud of that. It was the budget we gave to the AFP to help defend our territory within and outside our borders. So, any move by this Chamber to add to the budget of the Department of National Defense, we will fully and solidly support. We need to support our troops from all the services ... the discourse that we have in this very Chamber is due to the men and women of AFP. We cannot do this without you, gentlemen, we would have chaos in our country," Zubiri said.

Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros said the upgrade of the country's defense should be prioritized amid modern threats.

"We currently live in a very volatile period of history with various conflicts around the globe boiling and some simmering just under the surface. While we wish it was otherwise, we can at least try to learn as much as we can from them and the current conflicts seem to underline the importance of drones, including naval drowns and anti-drone warfare, guided emissions and air defense system," Hontiveros said.