Exclusive: China's repeated demand for PH to withdraw US Typhon missiles an 'overreaction' - DFA chief

Metro Manila, Philippines - Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo questioned China's repeated demand for the Philippines to withdraw the US Typhon missile system from the country.

In an exclusive interview with 'The NewsMaker,' Manalo said the missile system is for defense.

"I really can't understand the continuous concern being expressed by China when you consider that China has certainly many more missiles, I don't know where they’re aimed at," said Manalo.

"I think there might be an overreaction for the Typhon missiles which are clearly for defense purposes," he added.

Manalo said the Philippines has no intention of directing the missile system to any country.

He said there was no backtracking, no broken promises as claimed by Beijing.

"It's our prerogative. Do we question what they do?” the DFA chief added.

Chinese state media on Wednesday urged the Philippines to withdraw the intermediate range missile saying the Philippines had repeatedly broken its promises by introducing the missile system.