National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya denied that the Philippines made a "promise" with the People's Republic of China to draw the US Typhon Missile System in the country.

"The Philippines never promised the People's Republic of China that we will draw the Typhon Missile System from the Philippines", Malaya said in a press conference on Friday.

Malaya said that the Philippines has "the sovereign and inherent right to upgrade its defense capabilities in opportunities which it deems appropriate".

"So we feel that it is deceptive on the part of the People's Republic of China to comment on our right to improve defense capabilities and position while they continue to improve their offensive capabilities", Malaya added

Malaya said that the missile system will only be used for defense and modernization efforts.

He was reacting to a statement from China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun on Wednesday that the Philippines has gone back on its claim to withdraw the Tyhon Missile System and that it will purchase their own missile system.

Guo said that keeping the Typhon System in the Philippines puts a large number of Southeast Asian countries within its range at risk.

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

"However, it has breached such commitments, claiming they would acquire its own midrange system and field these deterrent capabilities, and linking the South China Sea issue with the Typhon System. This is not only ridiculous but also extremely dangerous", Guo added. Marie Manalili/DMS