00:00The National Security Council, or NSC, defended the Typhoon Missile System's presence
00:05in the Philippines, rejecting China's claims. They clarified that the Philippines
00:10does not interfere with China's defense upgrades and does not promote anti-China rhetoric.
00:17PTV's Patrick D'Souza tells us more.
00:22The National Security Council has once again defended the presence of the Typhoon Missile
00:27System of the United States in the Philippines. This follows another protest from China,
00:33which claimed that the Philippines had committed to removing the system.
00:36According to the NSC, the Philippines has never made such a promise,
00:41emphasizing that the system's presence in the country is solely for training purposes.
00:45The NSC further stated, the Philippines does not comment on China's own upgrades
00:50to its defense capabilities.
00:57Also this opportunity or responsibility to also improve their defense capabilities.
01:04So we feel that it is deceptive on the part of the people of China to comment on our right
01:13to improve our defense capabilities and position
01:16while they continue to improve their offensive capabilities.
01:21It would take more than just their presence here before it gets to the point of being operational.
01:26They will have to be guided from national command authorities,
01:29which is actually beyond the current reason why the MRC or the typhoon is here.
01:35The NSC also asserted that the country is not spreading anti-China rhetoric
01:40as diplomatic relations with China remain intact.
01:43This is in connection with the recent arrest of Chinese nationals allegedly involved in espionage.
01:49There is no anti-China rhetoric that is being propagated.
01:52We just happen to have the evidence to pin down several Chinese nationals
01:59who have been arrested by Philippine law enforcement authorities in the act of espionage.
02:04Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard continues to monitor Chinese vessels
02:08in the country's Exclusive Economic Zone or EEZ.
02:11So far, the China Coast Guard 3304 has been driven more than 100 nautical miles away
02:17from Bani Pangasinan due to the maneuvering of the PCG vessel BRP Cabra.
02:23Meanwhile, the monster ship has left Scarborough Shoal and was monitored 60 nautical miles from
02:28Purcell Island after intruding in the country's EEZ for more than a month.
02:34Meanwhile, the Chinese research vessel Lanhai 101 has completely left Philippine waters
02:40and is now in Taiwan's territory, according to the PCG.
02:47Balita Pambansa
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