AFP refutes Paolo Duterte's 'misleading interpretation' of US missile system deployment

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has denounced a "misleading interpretation" by Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte of statements made by AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. regarding the temporary deployment of the US Typhon Missile System.

The AFP clarified that General Brawner's remarks were a technical statement about the missile system's range and emphasized its presence for training and capability-building as part of the Philippines' defense modernization.

Rep. Duterte had accused General Brawner of "gambling" with Filipino lives and "boasting about missiles that can reach China," suggesting the deployment would expose the Philippines to military retaliation.

The AFP asserted that any insinuation of the institution or its leadership serving foreign interests is false and undermines the dedication of its members to defending Philippine sovereignty.

The AFP stated that all defense initiatives and partnerships align with the Philippines' independent foreign policy and sovereign rights.