NSC backs President Marcos position on Typhon missile pullout

MANILA, Philippines — The National Security Council (NSC) has expressed support for President Marcos’ setting as condition for the pullout of US Typhon launchers China’s withdrawal of its claims over Philippine territorial waters.

In a statement, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said the NSC 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.”

“We have always pursued peaceful and diplomatic measures consistent with our desire to de-escalate rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea,” Año said.

“Our actions in the West Philippine Sea remain compliant with international law and established norms of cooperation and diplomacy,” he pointed out.

“We see this as contributory to peace and stability in the region, which will benefit not only the Philippines but the entire region,” he added.

He also stressed that the Typhon missile system in the country which is being protested by China is solely for defense purposes and not directed at any nation.

He said the same missile system was deployed in the Philippines during the 2024 Balikatan exercises with the US to improve readiness and interoperability with the armed forces of partner countries, particularly the United States.

“As such, its continued deployment in the country is essential in our efforts to improve our defense capabilities,” Año pointed out.

“Nonetheless, the President has made a sincere gesture to the People’s Republic of China, which we hope will be reciprocated in the spirit of goodwill and amity among our two great nations,” he said.

‘Provisional understanding’

In a related development, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo clarified that the “provisional understanding” with China that allows unimpeded rotation and resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal does not compromise the country’s sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.

“We did not surrender sovereignty or sovereign rights,” Manalo said in an interview over “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon” TV program.

He explained that the provisional arrangement covers the Ayungin Shoal alone and that it has led to “at least three or four missions na walang (without) incident.”

He stressed that the provisional understanding does not change the country’s position on its sovereign rights.

It’s being reached through a bilateral consultative mechanism, which has demonstrated that diplomacy can still do wonders to lower tensions in the region.

Manalo noted that the DFA considers the WPS as “a primary security challenge” and the Philippines maintains its position on the matter based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award which invalidated China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea.

The China Coast Guard (CCG), meanwhile, maintains its menacing presence in the country’s western coast, with four of its ships monitored sailing near Zambales.

In a statement on Thursday, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Jay Tarriela said the BRP Teresa Magbanua was able to push back a bigger CCG vessel with bow number 3304 when the latter attempted to get close to Zambales. The PCG vessel “successfully pushed CCG 3304 further away from the coast of Zambales, now estimated to be at a distance of 100-105 nautical miles,” Tarriela said.

“Despite CCG 3304’s assertions that it is patrolling within China’s maritime jurisdiction and its refusal to recognize the Arbitral Award, the BRP Teresa Magbanua has persistently emphasized that the Chinese vessel lacks legal authority and is, in fact, violating the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” he said.

The three other CCG vessels in the area, according to Tarriela, included the one nicknamed “monster ship” because of its size.

They were the same vessels seen surrounding Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc early this week.

Tarriela emphasized that the PCG is “unwavering in its commitment to uphold President Bongbong Marcos’ directives, diligently working to prevent CCG from establishing an illegal presence and engaging in coercive actions in the West Philippine Sea, all while ensuring that tensions do not escalate.” — Ghio Ong, Artemio Dumlao