Metro Manila, Philippines – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it will take action amid claims that China is planning hypersonic missile attacks against the country as tensions rise in the West Philippine Sea.
In a Facebook video, Senator Imee Marcos said China is targeting 25 areas in the country.
The AFP said that it is taking the concerns seriously.
“We are ready to coordinate with Senator Marcos to obtain details and take appropriate actions to ensure our nation’s security,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla told reporters in a message on July 3.
Marcos said China was dismayed with the warming ties between the Philippines and the United States (US).
She said the situation is worrisome as the US supposedly admitted that it cannot fight Beijing.
“Aminin natin ang problema talaga dahil sa tingin ng Tsina talagang kumampi na tayo sa kalaban nila. Nagbigay tayo ng 17 base militar, sa pakiwari nila, ‘yung EDCA (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement) sites. Talagang mainit ang ulo nila,” the senator said.
[Translation: China thinks we sided with its enemy. We gave 17 military bases, the EDCA sites. They are not happy.]
“Ang sabi ng US, hindi daw nila kaya labanan ‘yung hypersonic missile. Mas lalo akong ninerbiyos kasi akala ko kapag missile, mayroon ‘yung ibang bansa ‘yung tinatawag na iron dome, hindi makapasok ‘yung missile. Kapag hypersonic daw, kayang-kaya pumasok. Ganyan lang kadali, durog daw. Ano bang klase ‘yun?” she added.
[Translation: The US said it cannot fight the hypersonic missile. I am even more nervous because I thought missiles cannot enter an iron dome like in other countries. But hypersonic missiles can pass through that. It’s that easy.]
