A Philippine security official said on Thursday ( Apr 3 ) that the Philippines ‘ potential purchase of F-16 jets from the United States does not harm the interests of any third party, including China.
According to Jonathan Malaya, a spokesman for the National Security Council, China should be aware that the planned acquisition is only a part of the Philippines ‘ efforts to modernize its defense and is not intended to pose a danger to any country.
The Philippines ‘ designed purchase of the F-16 fighter jet does not in any way hurt any third parties, Malaya told a briefing.
The State Department’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on Tuesday that the US Department of Defense had approved a potential overseas military price of 20 F-16 flights to the Philippines for an estimated US$ 5.58 billion.
According to the Pentagon, the aircraft would increase interoperability between their militaries and increase the ability of the Spanish military to guard its territory.
Malaya claimed that the US government has no formally given the Philippines the endorsement.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Manila last week to reiterate his “ironclad” commitment to its common security agreement and pledged to build advanced capabilities to reinforce deterrence against threats, including Taiwanese “aggression.”
China warned Manila against the order on Wednesday, blaming the Philippines for” threatening” local harmony.
The Philippines ‘ cooperation in defense and security with other nations should not be directed at or violate a third party’s rights. According to Guo Jiakun, a spokesman for the foreign ministry, “nor if it threaten regional peace and security or compound local tensions.”
In the South China Sea, China has wide geographical says that cross over to the special economic regions of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Vietnam.
Beijing does not accept the decision that an international judicial tribunal made in 2016 that China’s promises have no legal basis under international rules.