The Philippine Army on Tuesday said the US-made Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system is still in the Philippines for training and familiarization.
According to army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala, it would help the country’s land troops to enhance and fast-track their military training if the United States would deploy another MRC in the Philippines.
“It’s very welcome to the Philippine Army as this will help us enhance, fast-track our training when it comes to its capabilities. But as to the confirmation, we do not have confirmation of the deployment,” Dema-ala said in a mix of English and Filipino.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) earlier said that MRC deployment in the Philippines would open opportunities for joint military training and capabilities enhancement.
“This paves the way for our soldiers to learn, also adapt, and operate advanced systems that would help our own defense preparedness. This Typhon missile system, this is not just a weapon. It is a symbol of deterrence and not aggression,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said when asked about the recent deployment development of the said US asset.
Previously, an American defense official authorized to speak on the mid-range missile system deployment said the United States is ready to deploy the Typhon MRC missile system that the Philippines planned to acquire as part of a push to secure its maritime interests.
“If the Philippine government agrees to it, I would say the answer is yes… If they say no, thanks, then the answer will be no,” the official said at a briefing in Hawaii.
