Philippine defense chief urges China to assess its missile capabilities

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro responded to China's criticism of the U.S. missile system's presence in the Philippines. He urged China to examine its own missile capabilities and withdraw from the West Philippine Sea, questioning who initiated the arms race. Teodoro's comments followed China's warning that the U.S. missile system threatens regional security. The missile system, which arrived in April 2024, was initially expected to leave by September 2024, but no timeline for its exit has been confirmed. The Philippines is seeking to strengthen its defense posture amid rising tensions with China. The Department of National Defense has proposed a budget of P254.115 billion for 2025, focusing on military modernization and territorial defense.