MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has strongly defended its integrity and independence following claims that the temporary deployment of the United States’ Typhon missile system in the country compromises national sovereignty.
In a statement, the AFP dismissed what it called “misleading interpretations” of its earlier pronouncements, stressing that the system’s presence was purely for “training and capability-building purposes” aligned with the military’s modernization efforts.
The clarification came after Davao City 1st District’s Cong. Paolo Duterte warned that hosting the missile system could drag the Philippines into foreign geopolitical disputes.
According to the AFP, Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. merely cited a “technical fact” about the Typhon system’s range and did not imply any operational deployment that would threaten national security.
“Any insinuation that the AFP or its leadership serves foreign interests is false and undermines the integrity, professionalism, and patriotism of the institution,” the AFP said.
It emphasized that all defense cooperation initiatives are “conducted in line with the Philippines’ independent foreign policy and sovereign prerogative.”
The military also urged public officials and commentators to “exercise prudence and responsibility” in issuing statements to avoid spreading misinformation and eroding public trust.
“The AFP remains steadfast in its duty to protect the Filipino people and defend the nation’s sovereignty — serving no one but the Filipino and protecting nothing but the Philippines,” the statement added./PN
