The Philippines did not promise China that it would remove the U.S. Typhon missile system deployed in the country since April 2024, according to assistant director general Jonathan Malaya, the National Security Council (NSC)’s spokesperson.

Malaya made the statement in response to remarks by Chinese Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Guo Jiakun, who claimed the Philippines had “breached” its commitment that the deployment was temporary.

“The Philippines never promised the People’s Republic of China (PRC) that we would withdraw the Typhon missile system,” Malaya said during a media briefing of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea in Manila on February 14, alongside other Philippine security officials.

“We never made any commitment to the PRC in this regard,” he added.

The Typhon missile system was brought to the Philippines on April 11, 2024, and is currently being used as part of military training exercises.

“The missile system that is here is primarily for readiness and interoperability. Because we have a mutual defense treaty with the U.S., the Philippine troops have to be familiar with the weapon systems of our partners and allies,” Malaya explained.

He added: “If the presence of the Typhon missile system is such a bother, the president has made a formal offer through media, which unfortunately we have not received a proper response to as of now.”

Last month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr urged China to refrain from interfering in Manila’s military affairs, particularly regarding the Typhon missile system’s deployment.

Marcos said the Philippines would consider returning the Typhon to the U.S. if China withdraws its claims to the West Philippine Sea and ceases harassment of Filipino vessels and fishermen.

China claims “breach of commitment”

On February 12, during a press briefing in Beijing, Guo accused the Philippines of reneging on its promise.

“The Philippines has explained itself multiple times regarding the introduction of the Typhon system, pledging that the deployment was ‘temporary’ and that the system would be shipped out of the country after relevant military exercises,” Guo said.

He further alleged that Manila “breached such commitments, claiming (it) would acquire its own midrange system and field these deterrent capabilities, and linking the South China Sea issue with the Typhon system.”

“Deceptive” narrative from China

Malaya responded by accusing Beijing of being “deceptive” in its remarks about the U.S. missile system’s deployment, pointing out that China regularly conducts military training and missile tests without receiving criticism from the Philippines.

“At every specific instance that the PRC has conducted these tests, they never heard from us. We never criticized, we never commented even on their continued improvement of their offensive capabilities,” Malaya said.

“We feel that it is deceptive on the part of the People’s Republic of China to comment on our right to improve our defense capabilities and position while they continue to improve their offensive capabilities,” he added.

Malaya argued that China’s use of the word “commitment” was misleading, as it suggested a promise that the Philippine government never made.

China’s concerns

Chinese Defense Ministry’s spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang criticized the Philippines, claiming it was “not only giving up its own security and national defense to others, but also introducing the risks of geopolitical confrontation and arms race into the region”.

Zhang argued that the Typhon missile system is a “strategic offensive weapon” and accused Manila of “repeatedly breaking its promises” and siding with the U.S. by allowing the deployment of the system.

The Typhon system, which includes Tomahawk cruise missiles capable of striking targets in China and Russia from the Philippines, and SM-6 missiles that can engage air or sea targets more than 200 kilometers away, was brought to the Philippines for annual military exercises with U.S. troops.

Manila dismisses “spy-scare” allegation

Malaya also denied allegations that the Philippines is using “spy-scare” tactics against China, asserting that there is no anti-China rhetoric coming from the Philippine government. He emphasized that the two countries have maintained diplomatic relations for many years.

“There is no anti-China rhetoric that is being propagated. We just happen to have the evidence to pin down several Chinese nationals who have been arrested by Philippine law enforcement authorities in the act of espionage. Cases have been filed in court. These are legitimate counterintelligence operations,” he said.

“These accused individuals of espionage were caught in the act. They were caught red-handed. Espionage equipment (was) confiscated by law enforcement authorities,” said Malaya.

China’s “monster ship” moves away

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on February 14 that China’s “monster ship,” the 165-meter China Coast Guard (CCG) 5901, was detected moving away from the West Philippine Sea.

According to PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela, the vessel was spotted 60.6 nautical miles from Paracel Island on February 14, using Canada’s Dark Vessel Detection Program.

Tarriela claimed that the ship had been conducting “illegal patrols and unlawful activities” within the Philippine exclusive economic zone, where it had been patrolling for 46 days since departing from Hainan.

The PCG has been actively driving CCG vessels out of the West Philippine Sea since January 4, but other CCG ships have continued to be deployed, particularly near Panatag Shoal.

The escalating tensions over the Typhon missile system and the West Philippine Sea reflect the ongoing territorial disputes between the Philippines and China, with both sides maintaining firm stances on military presence and sovereignty claims.

Photo credit: Liz Lagniton. Jonathan Malaya, assistant director general, National Security Council’s spokesperson.