The Communist Party of the Philippines condemned the Marcos regime for colluding with the US to secretly transfer the US Typhon missile system that has long been condemned by the country’s patriotic forces. This system has attracted the attention of China and Russia, warning of its inherent risk to regional security. The US then housed the system at Laoag International Airport, a civilian facility and not on the list of areas designated “EDCA sites” or US military bases.

“The Marcos regime must be condemned for acting like an American stooge in allowing the US military to dump and stockpile its weapons in the country,” CPP chief information officer Marco Valbuena said in a statement on January 24. He emphasized the demand of the Filipino people for the immediate removal of this missile system from the country.

He also condemned the alleged plan of the AFP and the Marcos regime to “acquire” their own Typhon missile system, following US dictates. He called its presence in the Philippines a reckless provocation against US imperialist rival China.

Progressive forces also condemned the prepositioning of the Typhon missile in the country. Bayan Muna’s Atty Kaloi Zarate called it “the mark of Marcos Jr’s continued subservience” to the new US president Donald Trump’s administration.

“China’s continued encroachment in our territory should not mean our reliance on another imperialist country,” Atty. Zarate said. “If the interest of private individuals colluding with foreigners to get rich were not prioritized, the Philippines would not have been in this situation.”

Defend the sovereignty of the Philippines, he emphasized amid news that the US has stopped all foreign aid, including to the Philippines. ”

“This shows that the United States prioritizes its interest,” he said. “We must not be beggars before foreign powers. We must stand on our own feet and implement a truly independent foreign policy that serves first of all the interests of the Filipino people.”