Advertisement
Philippines warned ‘US satellite-like’ status puts it under Putin’s nuclear cross hairs
- Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned US missile systems in other countries including the Philippines would prompt a response
Reading Time:4 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
65
Opposition leaders in the Philippines have warned that President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s security alliance with the United States is helping to push the world to “the brink of a renewed nuclear arms race” after Russian President Vladimir Putin warned US weapon systems in the Southeast Asian country could lead to Moscow’s missile deployments abroad.
However, proponents of the alliance argue that it is a necessary response to aggressive moves by countries such as China and North Korea and that countries like Russia should “not meddle” when it comes to the Philippines defending its territory.
Putin called for the resumption of missile production during a televised address in which he also raised the possibility of deploying missiles outside Russia, noting that the US had sent missile systems to other countries.
“Today, it is known that the United States not only produces these missile systems but has already brought them to Europe for exercises, to Denmark. Quite recently, it was announced that they are in the Philippines,” the Russian leader said during a televised address on Friday.
A US Typhon Weapon System, which is capable of firing SM-6 anti-aircraft missiles and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles, with operational ranges of more than 240km (150 miles) and 2,500km, respectively, was deployed to the Philippines in April for use in the annual Balikatan joint military exercises with the US.
Advertisement